James Michael Carrier

James Michael Carrier, 83, passed away November 17th.  James was born to Michael and Mary Carrier on May 23, 1937 in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1957 and Johns Hopkins University in 1963.  His parents were so proud of him to be the first in their family to finish college.

He is survived by his wife Leonor (Mioranza) Carrier; children Michael (Kelly) Carrier and Michele (Eugene) Marx; stepchildren Caroline (Michael) Waisberg; and grandchilden, Matthew and Madeline Marx, Katelyn Carrier, and Sophia and Benjamin Waisberg.  He is preceded in death by his wife Loretta (Kent) Carrier. He was a loving son, brother, husband, brother-in-law, father, father-in-law, grandfather, cousin, uncle and friend. 

He started his career at Bendix and Martins, and then had an over 20-year career with the US Postal Service.  While he was always a consummate professional, he passed up numerous promotions to stay in this area and not uproot his children and move them around the country. He loved the idea of a Bowie childhood for his children. He loved his extended family in Baltimore and enjoyed many birthday parties, holidays, weddings and anniversaries where there was always good food and music – all in a big Italian style.

He loved the horse tracks – Bowie, Laurel, Pimlico, and Delaware Park; going to Atlantic City to play poker; and, of course, finding the best deals at garage sales or Costco.  He especially loved anything unique and one of a kind.  The Baltimore flea markets were a weekly event on Sundays in the summer where he packed up the station wagon with stuff, leaving just barely enough room for the kids, and set up tables to sell all his finds.  He passed this love of flea markets/garage sales to his children and grandchildren.  He was always looking for interesting projects to do and when his children were growing up he had a garage full of broken player pianos, jukeboxes and pinball machines that his children were expected to repair (with his guidance) for allowance money and to gain experience figuring out how to fix things.  He also loved old classic cars and had so much fun driving his convertible Siata Spring in the spring and summer months.

When he retired, he was not one to just sit on a rocking chair – he started a number of businesses, from ebay to gophers inc. to getting his real estate license.  He always liked being busy and helping others out.

He was everyone’s first best friend and made you feel like you were the most important person in the world. He loved playing with his grandchildren and was into whatever they were into.  In addition, he would help out whenever needed and on one occasion, donned the Santa suit to be one of Santa’s special helpers to hand out presents at his granddaughter’s day care when they needed someone to fill in. 

He loved his wife Loretta and was so happy for the wonderful 49 years with her, creating a wonderful family and such beautiful memories.  They laughed lots and were the best of friends.  He took very good care of her during her last years and knew the meaning of “in sickness and in health.”  He was a tremendous husband and a shining example of what it meant be a good one.

He later was able to meet Leonor and remarry – he loved her very much.  They enjoyed good food, gardening and spending quality time with their families.  We miss him terribly.

Mass and internment is private. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org.