New York, New York
January 7, 2014
CAREY--John (Jack) Leonard, of Manhattan died peacefully on January 7, 2014 at the age of 83, with his wife at his side. John was born in Millville, Massachusetts in 1930 to Leonard and Molly. In 1947, as the first person in his family to finish high school, he graduated as valedictorian from St Mary's of Milford, and received a full scholarship to attend the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. During this time he developed his lifelong passion for literature, and received a Master's in English from Boston College in 1952. John then enrolled in a Ph.D program in English at the University of Wisconsin, but left in 1953 to enter the Catholic priesthood. He was ordained as a Franciscan friar after six years, and as Father Alfred Augustus, served in the priesthood for ten years. He returned to Wisconsin and completed his Ph.D in 1965, then worked as a friar and professor at St. Bonaventure University and Brandeis University until 1969. He left the priesthood that year, and in 1970 married his beloved wife Dorothy. John spent the final 33 years of his career at Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey, a school whose students, faculty and staff he loved. He was well known for his dynamic lectures, particularly on Shakespeare and Chaucer.
John lived in Manhattan from 1970 until his death, and he and Dorothy raised their two daughters in the West Village. John's greatest passions were his family, Bloomfield, his books, and the Boston Red Sox. He will be missed for his wit, intelligence, and, most of all, his devotion to those he loved. He is survived by his wife Dorothy; daughter Michelle Carey and son-in-law Navin Pant of New York; and daughter Megan Carey of New York. Funeral services will be held at St. Luke's in the Field (487 Hudson Street) on Saturday, January 18th at 2pm; all are welcome. Donations in his memory can be made to the John L. Carey Scholarship Fund at Bloomfield College.