Raymond Carrier

TOPSFIELD MA - Mr. Raymond (Ray) J Carrier, 83, of Topsfield, MA, formally of Newburyport, MA and Portland, ME, beloved husband of the late Noreen A (McInnis) Carrier, passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2019, at Masconomet Health Care. Born in Portland, ME, where he was raised and educated, he was the son of the late Romeo and Antoinette (Spaltro) Carrier. Several years after marrying, Ray and Noreen moved to Newburyport, MA, where they raised their family, and returned to Maine in retirement. When Ray's health issues became apparent they moved back to MA to be closer to their children. A loving husband of nearly 60 years, Ray spent some of them taking great care of Noreen during her bouts of illness. He was caring and patient as he tended to her needs while nursing her back to good health. After serving proudly for two years in the US Army, Ray's career history included working in the sheet metal industry, which led to his colonial style copper lantern business. Ray spent his days creating beautiful copper lanterns in the basement of the family home. In the 1970's, when Newburyport was going through an historic redevelopment of the downtown area, Ray opened the Colonial Lantern, one of the first businesses to open on Inn Street. The business was a family affair, with Noreen manning the shop during the week, and Ray's children doing assorted tasks, whether it was cleaning glass to put in the lanterns or loading the lanterns into the back of the station wagon for deliveries. In the last years of Ray's career he worked in customer service for Alfa Laval, which included traveling around the globe. Ray loved fishing and spent many a day surfcasting off of Plum Island, always hoping to land that big one, which he often times did. He also enjoyed shooting darts at Michael's Harborside and had fun with Noreen out dancing on Saturday nights and bowling in a league with her on Sunday nights. Ray was predeceased by his wife, Noreen, by only four weeks; his brothers, Leo Carrier and Donald Carrier. Ray is survived by his children, Catherine Hursty (Paul) of South Hamilton MA, Raymond Carrier, Jr., (partner Jean) of Haverhill MA, Michelle Wilson of Amesbury MA and Robert Carrier of Amesbury MA; his 7 grandchildren, Emily Lawson (Scott), Lindsay Messina (Matthew), Patrick Wilson (partner Mia), Sean Wilson, Eryca Carrier, Kaitlyn Carrier and Isabella Carrier; 2 great grandchildren, Grace and Isla Messina; his brothers, John Arthur Carrier of Las Vegas NV, Romeo (Sonny) Carrier of South Portland, ME; sisters, Victoria Sullivan (John) of Kittery ME, Marie Wogan (Terrance) of Scarborough ME; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Saturday, January 19, from 11:00AM-1:00PM at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland ME. A Funeral service will follow in the Chapel at 1PM. The Carrier family invites friends and loved ones to join them after the service at the Italian Heritage Center, 40 Westland Ave, Portland, ME, for a celebration of Ray's life. To view Ray's memorial page, or to share a condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Resident Council Fund c/o Masconomet Health Care, 123 High Street, Topsfield, MA 01983.