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Author: KENNELLYMARKA
Surnames: Carney,Johannes,Bahan,Zaluski. Rutherford .Lichtinger.
Classification: obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.carney/1698/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
Dr. Melvin E. "Mel" Carney, 85 years, passed away unexpectedly at his home in
Fairview Thursday evening, February 17, 2011. Born in Erie,pa, November 19, 1925,
he was a son of the late Frank L. and Florence E. Johannes Carney. He was a graduate of
St. John the Baptist Grade School class of '39 and Academy High School class of
'43. He graduated from Gannon University in 1949 and went on to receive a MA in
Clinical Psychology from Fordham University in 1953 and a doctorate in Counseling and
Educational Psychology from Case Western Reserve University in 1965. He was a member of
the Pennsylvania National Guard 1948-49. Dr. Carney was not afraid of hard work. He had
delivered papers for the old Erie Dispatch in his youth and then, decorated windows at
Erie Dry Goods Company (Boston Store) and P.A. Meyer & Sons during his college years.
After college, he taught at Gannon University. He began working at the Erie School
District in 1956 as a school social worker and then became employed as a full-time School
Psychologist in 1961. In 1968, he became coordinator of the Child Study Department and in
1980, became Director of Pupil Personnel S!
ervices. In 1984, he was named head of Special Education Services and then retired in
1990 as Assistant Superintendent. Mel also had a private practice with his wife, Dr. Donna
Carney, and his son Patrick Carney. He was a fellow of the American and the Pennsylvania
Psychological Assns., a member of the Erie Area Psychological Group, the National Register
of Psychologists, and Phi Beta Kappa. Mel held teaching certificates in English, General
Science, School Psychology, Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services, French, and Social
Studies, and Superintendant. He received a Certificate of Achievement from the National
Academy for School Executives and a certificate for Projective Techniques/Rorschach
studies. He served on many boards including the Erie School Administrators Assn. where he
was the 2nd president from 1970 to 1971; the Erie Philharmonic, where he was president
from 1995 to 1996; the American National Red Cross, Barber National Institute, United Way,
Family Services!
, and Erie County Mental Health and Mental Retardation, serving as vic
e chairman. Mel was a man with strong opinions but always willing to listen to another
point of view and find a compromise. He enjoyed debating politics, religion, education and
any other topics. He surrounded himself with many lifelong friends, whom he held very
dear. He was raised in an era when manners and style were important and he was truly a
gentleman to be respected and admired by all who knew him. Dr. Carney was a member of the
Erie Yacht Club and enjoyed his boat for many years, the Erie Club and a life member of
the Erie Maennerchor. He enjoyed family, boating, reading, news, tennis, the theater, and
the Erie Philharmonic, his gourmet group and playing cards. He traveled throughout the
world learning, exploring, and constantly broadening his knowledge. Mel had two great
loves in his life, Margaret J. Bahan Carney, of Erie, with whom he was married for 31
years
and the late Dr. Donna M. Zaluski Rutherford Carney, with whom he enjoyed spirited,
intellectual debates on many topics. They were best friends and traveled throughout the
world having many adventures.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dr. Donna M. Carney, his parents,
two children, Matthew and Mary Carney, and his grandparents, John and Margaret Byrne
Carney and George and Marion Lichtinger Johannes. He was a wonderful, caring, thoughtful
father to Pamela Mary Carney Zimmer, and husband Brian T., Wendy L. Rutherford Willis, of
West Newbury, Mass. and Patrick Bahan Carney, and his close friend, Joseph L. Geppert;
brother-in-law of Mary K. Bahan Williams; grandfather of Nicole K. Zimmer Bailey, husband
LaRon Bailey, Grady Matthew Zimmer, Alexander Carney Willis and Rebecca Daisy Willis.
Calling hours at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th St. at Greengarden,
Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services there Tuesday at 12 Noon with Rev. Thomas
Aleksa officiating. Entombment at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials suggested to Barber National
Institute, 100 Barber Place, Erie, 16507; the Erie Philharmonic, 1006 State, Erie, 16507;
the Erie Playhouse, 13 West 10th, Erie, 16501 or John Kanzius Foundation, 130 W. 8th St.,
Erie, PA 16501. Co!
ndolences at
bruggerfuneralhomes.com.
Erie Times-News on February 20, 2011 .
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