William Carey

William Somers Carey passed away peacefully on Saturday at home surrounded by his loving family. The love of his life, his wife of almost 50 years, is the former Gerrie Fitzgerald. The couple was married June 1965. He died just shy of his 75th birthday, born on June 7, 1940, in Scranton, son of the late William and Nan Carey. He was raised in the Nativity section of Scranton. Bill was a graduate of Scranton Central High School in 1958, and served on many reunion committees. Before graduation, he was active with the Boy Scouts, and became an Eagle Scout. He remained very close with his fellow scouts, and they continued monthly lunches that he truly enjoyed. He honorably served and was proud to be an electrical engineer in the Navy, and was given a tour of the world on his ship, USS Hassayampa, from 1958-1962. He then worked for Bell Telephone and later Verizon, where he retired after 35 years. He had a very strong work ethic, and worked in many disasters like Hurricane Camille in Mississippi and after the Agnes flood in Wilkes-Barre. Somers was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Parish, and was a lifetime member of the Factoryville Sportsmen's Club, serving as vice president for many years. He taught hunter safety courses for the Pennsylvania State Game Commission for more than 40 years. He loved hunting, trap shooting and being outdoors. He was an avid Penn State football fan, and loved to read about history. He was the person to call if you needed a ride. Anywhere, any place, anytime, he was there. He was famous for his witty sayings, most not repeatable here.The family would like to thank the team of doctors and nurses for his wonderful care at Geisinger Community Medical Center. We would also like to thank Traditional Home Health and Hospice for the compassionate care that enabled him to have a dignified passing in the comfort of his home. He was most proud of his four children and their spouses, William "Hutch" and Milissa Carey, Mary Ellen and Jason Berry, Rick Carey and Colleen and Nate Berry. He loved to brag about his grandchildren, Will and Nick Carey, Lauren, Cameryn and Chace Berry.He was also preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ellen Carey.A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday at 10 a.m. from Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit, to be celebrated by Monsignor James J. McGarry. Interment with full military honors, Cathedral Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit. Memorial contributions may be made to the Our Lady of the Snows Parish Lazarus Fund, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit, PA 18411, or Factoryville Sportsmen's Club in honor of Bill Carey, P.O. Box 331, Lake Winola Road, Factoryville, PA 18419. For more information, directions or to send an online condolence, please visit www.jenningscalvey.com.