William H. Carey
Fairport: Passed away peacefully August 31, 2023 at the age of 95, surrounded by his loving family and into the arms of his God.
Bill was predeceased by his son, Michael Carey, and his grandson, Jason Blair.
Bill is survived by his cherished wife of 71 years, Barbara, and his daughter, Elizabeth Carey. Also surviving are his beloved grandchildren, Laurel Carey (Scott Posadny), Michael Carey (Kaitlin), Carie Garlock, and Douglas Blair (Treena), as well as great grandchildren, Brianna, Alivia,Talen, Rilee, Mikey, Tayler, Jacob, Ethan, and Marley.
Bill was born in Constableville NY on September 7, 1927 and served as a Radiologic Technician in a U.S. Army M.A.S.H. unit in Japan in 1946. He held a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from SUNY Cortland, where he was also a talented athlete.
Bill was a basketball coach at Waterloo High School where he won two sectional baseball titles and three sectional basketball championships between 1954 and 1966. In 1968 he became RIT’s head basketball coach and eventually Director of Athletics. His greatest impact was as the Athletic Director at Nazareth College from 1980 to 1998.
Bill is a member of the Athletics Halls of Fame at RIT, Nazareth College, SUNY Cortland, and Waterloo High School and was the first inductee into the Chase Bank Basketball Tournament Hall of Fame. In 1990, he received the Al Weber Award for Outstanding Contributions to Sports. In 1998, he was inducted into the Frontier Field Walk of Fame.
Bill’s funeral mass will be celebrated at 11am Friday, September 8 at St. Catherine of Sienna in Mendon, NY. Burial will be private at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill’s memory to the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund. PO Box 50798, Jacksonville, FL 32240; https://tcjayfund.org/ways-to-give/
Comments
7 responses to “Carey, William H.”
A true gentleman, always a dry witty remark. Super smart and effective. Rest in eternal peace, Sir.
I first met Coach Carey as a high school hoop camper at Al Cervi Camp in the Adirondacks. I applied to RIT to study engineering. To my surprise Coach called me and asked if I was going to play ball at RIT. The thought never crossed my mind, my high school team was so good I was a sixth man as a senior but Coach Carey assured me and encouraged me that I could play for him. Speaking to his dry wit and humor he once said, “Ya know why I like having you on this team?” I said no, why? “Because you are always on time for practice and you know what color uniform to bring on the road.” Ya see we had guys that didn’t have those skills on display occasionally.
Most important when Coach left RIT the team had a going away party for him.
After that he took the time to write me a personal letter that I still have and cherish to this day. In it he said “Too bad you’re going to be an engineer, you’d make a great Coach.” I never thought about that as a career path, but yet again he saw something in me that has been an important part of my life in that I do Coach and have coached people throughout my career and now I “coach” rowing to people with disabilities and Veterans in recovery…. Seeing the ability within others they may not see in themselves. I know that Coach Carey had that impact on me, gifting that skill to me for others.
My guess is he had many other impactful relationships over his life.
I am currently retired as Athletic Director and Coach at Waterloo High School and was a President of Section V Athletics. My association with Bill Carey started when I was 8 years old on the playgrounds of LaFayette ElementarySchool in Waterloo in 1960. He saw my interest in sports, made me a ballboy/ scorekeeper for his baseball team and helped develop my passion to want to teach and coach kids. While Tom Coughlin was playing for him, I was witness to some of the highest caliber teams in Waterloo History. That relationship continued for us for the next 63 years. Bill attended many of my teams games at Waterloo, always lending support and encouragement. He was my mentor, my role model and my friend. I also attended his basketball games at RIT and several Nazareth contests while he was Athletic Director. Thank you Bill for your passion, advice, and loyal friendship. The best way I can sum up Bill Carey as that through the years he supported the team of his best athlete(Tom Coughlin) while supporting the teams and career of his student manager (me). He is a true educator.
Thanks Bill
Joe Sposato
Former President of Section V Athletics
Waterloo NY
Barb and family,
My heartfelt condolences to you on Bill’s passing.
He was a true gentleman, and a wonderful man who has done so much for so many.
Barb, we will stop in to see you when we get back from our vacation.
Sincerely,
Mary
In our high school gym class, Bill asked if anyone had a drivers license. A few guys raised their hands (thinking of course they could leave school for a while). Bill, pointing, said: ” you and you, drive these parallel bars into the storeroom.” Bill was part of the fabric of Waterloo High School sports. RIP in peace Mr. Carey – you done good. My condolences and best wishes to Barbara. Chuck
Barb and Beth, thinking of you and Bill with very fond memories. Prayers, Sister Alice
The Veterans Outreach Center extends our deepest sympathy in William’s passing.
We acknowledge and are truly grateful for his service to our country.