Former Norwich Mayor George Carnrike’s legacy lives on through family
Ashley Babbitt Photo
NORWICH – City of Norwich Mayor, Christine Carnrike, reported on the passing of her father, former Mayor George W. Carnrike, Sr., on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. George W. Carnrike, Sr., served as the City of Norwich Mayor from 1969 thru 1973.
Former Mayor Carnrike was able to witness the swearing-in ceremony of his youngest daughter, Christine, as Mayor on January 1, 2016, 47 years to the day he was first sworn in to that very same office.
“It was the proudest moment of my life, to not only succeed my father serving the City of Norwich, but to have him present for the ceremony,” said Mayor Christine Carnrike late Wednesday evening.
George Carnrike was born February 24, 1928, the son of Clara (Meade) and Ralph Carnrike, and who would have known that on an autumn day (October 3, 1943) he would meet his future wife at a dance at the YMCA. “To hear my Dad tell the story, it was love at first sight. My mother; however, told a little different story. They dated through high school with Dad graduating in 1946 and Mom in 1947 and the beginning of their 66-year marriage was their wedding day September 4, 1948,” said Carnrike.
Former Mayor Carnrike and his wife, Alice (McNeil) were blessed over the course of their marriage with 8 children – 3 sons and 5 daughters, 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. “My father’s accomplishments are many, but none outweighs the pride he had for his family nor the love he had for my mother,” Carnrike pointed out.
Faith and family were the cornerstones of the former Mayor’s life. At the request of one of his granddaughters, in 2008 he wrote 28 “handwritten” pages entitled, My Memoirs, and as the family has read through them these past few years and more importantly the past few days, faith, family and a strong work ethic come off the pages. As a convert to Catholicism in 1955, Mr. Carnrike was a devout Catholic who actively practiced his faith as a member of St. Paul’s Church.
Reflecting on her father’s life, along with her brothers and sisters, Mayor Carnrike stated “My father was a high school graduate who had more knowledge than others more highly educated. As his family grew, he built an addition on the family home in 1960 from his own design and with his own hands. He continued to remodel and renovate as needed through the years. The family home on Jones Avenue provided a wonderful place for the family and we had so many large family gatherings and celebrations within those walls. Dad worked two or three jobs at a time to provide for his family and he never complained. Dad simply did what needed to be done and that is why I believe he entered politics to serve his community and he leaves a legacy far greater than many realize.”
Former Mayor Carnrike served the City of Norwich as Mayor from 1969 thru 1973 and prior to that served on the City Council as Ward 6 Alderman from 1966 thru 1968 and for many years on the Democratic Committee. He was honored to serve his community and was actively involved in the Knights of Columbus, the Elks (BPOE #1222), was a Charter Member and Past President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 2053 and so many more community organizations.
Reflecting on the message, “We must make Norwich a place to live, not a place to leave,” Mayor Carnrike said, “Dad would have stayed in Norwich forever. Norwich was his home and he loved it and the people here. His soul may have left Norwich on Wednesday morning, but his spirit lives on. We believe he is now with my Mom and my sister, Mary.”
The outpouring of messages on social media since learning of Mr. Carnrike’s passing is a testament to the man, the husband, the father, the brother, the uncle, the grandfather, the great-grandfather, the neighbor and the community leader. The words great, amazing, and wonderful are used over and over again in messages from relatives and friends of the family. Mayor Carnrike noted, “There’s a plaque on the wall in the family home that reads: A father is someone to look up to, no matter how tall you get, while others read #1 Dad and World’s Best Grandpa. Tucked in a desk drawer is the plaque – George W. Carnrike, City of Norwich Mayor. He was proud of his family while his children were so very proud of him. Now we have to live our lives continuing to make him proud knowing that Dad is always watching over us”.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 27, at noon at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Calling hours will be Sunday, June 26, from 4 to 7 pm at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. A complete obituary for Former Mayor Carnrike appears in today’s edition of The Evening Sun.
NORWICH – City of Norwich Mayor, Christine Carnrike, reported on the passing of her father, former Mayor George W. Carnrike, Sr., on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. George W. Carnrike, Sr., served as the City of Norwich Mayor from 1969 thru 1973.
Former Mayor Carnrike was able to witness the swearing-in ceremony of his youngest daughter, Christine, as Mayor on January 1, 2016, 47 years to the day he was first sworn in to that very same office.
“It was the proudest moment of my life, to not only succeed my father serving the City of Norwich, but to have him present for the ceremony,” said Mayor Christine Carnrike late Wednesday evening.
George Carnrike was born February 24, 1928, the son of Clara (Meade) and Ralph Carnrike, and who would have known that on an autumn day (October 3, 1943) he would meet his future wife at a dance at the YMCA. “To hear my Dad tell the story, it was love at first sight. My mother; however, told a little different story. They dated through high school with Dad graduating in 1946 and Mom in 1947 and the beginning of their 66-year marriage was their wedding day September 4, 1948,” said Carnrike.
Former Mayor Carnrike and his wife, Alice (McNeil) were blessed over the course of their marriage with 8 children – 3 sons and 5 daughters, 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. “My father’s accomplishments are many, but none outweighs the pride he had for his family nor the love he had for my mother,” Carnrike pointed out.
Faith and family were the cornerstones of the former Mayor’s life. At the request of one of his granddaughters, in 2008 he wrote 28 “handwritten” pages entitled, My Memoirs, and as the family has read through them these past few years and more importantly the past few days, faith, family and a strong work ethic come off the pages. As a convert to Catholicism in 1955, Mr. Carnrike was a devout Catholic who actively practiced his faith as a member of St. Paul’s Church.
Reflecting on her father’s life, along with her brothers and sisters, Mayor Carnrike stated “My father was a high school graduate who had more knowledge than others more highly educated. As his family grew, he built an addition on the family home in 1960 from his own design and with his own hands. He continued to remodel and renovate as needed through the years. The family home on Jones Avenue provided a wonderful place for the family and we had so many large family gatherings and celebrations within those walls. Dad worked two or three jobs at a time to provide for his family and he never complained. Dad simply did what needed to be done and that is why I believe he entered politics to serve his community and he leaves a legacy far greater than many realize.”
Former Mayor Carnrike served the City of Norwich as Mayor from 1969 thru 1973 and prior to that served on the City Council as Ward 6 Alderman from 1966 thru 1968 and for many years on the Democratic Committee. He was honored to serve his community and was actively involved in the Knights of Columbus, the Elks (BPOE #1222), was a Charter Member and Past President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 2053 and so many more community organizations.
Reflecting on the message, “We must make Norwich a place to live, not a place to leave,” Mayor Carnrike said, “Dad would have stayed in Norwich forever. Norwich was his home and he loved it and the people here. His soul may have left Norwich on Wednesday morning, but his spirit lives on. We believe he is now with my Mom and my sister, Mary.”
The outpouring of messages on social media since learning of Mr. Carnrike’s passing is a testament to the man, the husband, the father, the brother, the uncle, the grandfather, the great-grandfather, the neighbor and the community leader. The words great, amazing, and wonderful are used over and over again in messages from relatives and friends of the family. Mayor Carnrike noted, “There’s a plaque on the wall in the family home that reads: A father is someone to look up to, no matter how tall you get, while others read #1 Dad and World’s Best Grandpa. Tucked in a desk drawer is the plaque – George W. Carnrike, City of Norwich Mayor. He was proud of his family while his children were so very proud of him. Now we have to live our lives continuing to make him proud knowing that Dad is always watching over us”.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 27, at noon at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Calling hours will be Sunday, June 26, from 4 to 7 pm at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. A complete obituary for Former Mayor Carnrike appears in today’s edition of The Evening Sun.
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