NORWICH – Former City of Norwich Mayor, George W. Carnrike, Sr., passed away June 22, 2016. Born February 24, 1928, in Norwich, NY, George was the son of Clara (Meade) and Ralph Carnrike. A graduate of Norwich High School Class of 1946, George married Alice McNeil on September 4, 1948, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church and they were blessed with 8 children, 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren over the course of their 66-year marriage. George was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather. As a convert to Catholicism in 1955, George was a devout Catholic who actively practiced his faith as a member of St. Paul’s Church and had a devotion to the Rosary. He attended daily Mass for many years until his health declined.
Born and raised in Norwich, after high school, George went to work for Norwich Pharmacal Company (1946-1951) and then to GLA and all its successors (1951-1990), retiring as Shipping Clerk. He was a Charter Member and past President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 2053. George worked hard all his life to support his family with several part-time jobs through the years, including pumping gas, working on cars, television repair and stocking shelves at Victory Markets to name a few.
Committed to the community where he lived and was raising his family, George became active in the Democratic Party, serving as Committeeman for Ward 6 and as City Chairman for many years. He was elected in 1965 as City of Norwich Ward 6 Alderman (1966 to 1968) and three times as Mayor, serving from 1969 to 1973. George was a life-member of the Robert E. McNeil Knights of Columbus Council #211 reaching the level of 4th Degree Knight, the B.P.O.E. #1222 (past Exalted Ruler) and the G.L. Rider Hook and Ladder Volunteer Fire Department.
After his retirement in 1990, George went to work part-time for R.J. Fahy Funeral Home and then worked for his son, George Jr. at Carnrike Construction as the “Union Driver” from 1992 until his full retirement in 2005.
George and Alice enjoyed traveling to Ireland, Irish music and dancing. For many years he could often be heard singing Danny Boy and Four Green Fields celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Norwich and Binghamton with his son, Mike, and family.
Predeceased by his wife, Alice, and his daughter, Mary, George is survived by seven children: Thomas (Sara) Carnrike, Syracuse; Michael (Ann) Carnrike, Norwich; Sharon (Robert) Burns, Binghamton; George Carnrike, Jr., Norwich; Bridget (William) Vaughan, Binghamton; Alice (Barry) Hart, Kirkwood; and Christine Carnrike, Norwich; grandchildren: Catherine Carnrike, Thomas A. Carnrike, Carey (Jason) Bauer, Kennedy Carnrike, Patricia (Pete) Kasmarcik, James Carnrike, Daniel Burns, Brian Burns, Kathleen Burns, Michael Strom, Andrew Strom, Terra (Gino) Granata, George Carnrike III, Allison Vaughan, Daniel (Brianna) Vaughan, Maggie (Stephen) Kestler, William Vaughan, Jr., Mary Ellen Vaughan, Robert Vaughan, Elizabeth (Brian) Decker, Matthew (Melissa) Hart and Patrick Hart, 11 great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law Tammy Carnrike, son-in-law Eric Strom, brother-in-law Bernard Merritt, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Former Mayor Carnrike was also predeceased by his parents, his brothers Robert, Ralph, Albert and Richard & Patricia (Collier) Carnrike, his sister Alice (Louis) Wright, his in-laws, Daniel & Bridget (Carey) McNeil and sisters-in-law Mary (Maurice) Waldorf and Elizabeth Merritt.
A Mass of Christian Burial for George will be offered on Monday, June 27, at noon from St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church. The Rev. Ralph A. Bove, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Sunday, June 26, from 4 to 7 pm. Please consider memorial contributions to St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 30 Pleasant Street, Norwich, NY 13815 or Holy Family School, 17 Prospect Street, Norwich, NY 13815. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home website at www.rjfahyfuneralhome.com.