The Rev. Joseph Carney passed away peacefully at home with his wife by his side on August 19 at the age of 84.
He was born in Vancouver, B.C. and attended various schools before graduating from Vancouver College Prep School in 1948. He then pursued his long-time desire to enter the priesthood by enrolling in the Roman Catholic Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, B.C.
He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953 and a degree in theology in 1957. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 6, 1957. He served in various Vancouver area parishes as assistant priest and editor of the Diocesan newspaper of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
After much soul searching he knew that he wanted marriage to be part of his life and in November, 1965 he married his wife, Tanya Dournovo. The marriage was followed by a brief stay at Huron College, University of Western Ontario, and Joe was received into the Anglican Communion in December, 1966.
In October, 1967, Joe, Tanya and their infant son, Rex, emigrated to the United States. Joe entered the U.S. Episcopal Church through the Diocese of Olympia and was assigned to St. Barnabas, Bainbridge Island and its satellite mission churches in Poulsbo and Port Gamble.
Over the next several years he oversaw the independence of the Poulsbo and Port Gamble congregations, the building of a church in Poulsbo and considerable congregational growth. He also served on boards of many community organizations and Diocesan committees. In 1986 he received his Master of Ministry degree from Seattle University.
He resigned as Rector from St. Charles parish in Poulsbo in 1989 and became Vicar of St. Bede’s Mission, Port Orchard, where he served until 1995, at which time he retired.
He and his family enjoyed sailing the San Juans and Canadian Gulf Islands for many years so he was happy to come out of retirement in 1997 to serve as part-time Vicar of Grace Church, Lopez Island.
He retired for the second time in 1999. During this time he oversaw the building of the new Grace Church in the village. He also served on the original board of the newly forming Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support.
Upon retiring from Grace Church, he and Tanya decided to make Lopez their permanent home. From there he worked as supply priest at St. David’s Parish, Friday Harbor and Emmanuel Parish, Eastsound.
Joe loved anything to do with boats, particularly his sailboat, “Grace,” and he and Tanya were active members of the Lopez Island Yacht Club from 1999. He was also an avid crab fisherman and would be one of the first ones to put out a pot when the season opened.
Back in his single days he had obtained a private pilot’s license and owned and flew a Piper Cub. He always missed flying and after moving to Lopez bought an Ercoupe which gave him great pleasure flying and commuting to his duties in Eastsound.
Joe was loved by everyone who knew him for his ready smile, his sense of humor and the joy and kindness he exuded. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Tanya, sons Rex (Jennifer) and Brent Carney, grandchildren Brennan, Casey, Chloe and Dillon, his sister-in-law Verlie Carney, brother-in-law Martin Dournovo (Virginia) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Robert and Nora Carney and brothers Robert and Fred.
A celebration of his life will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on Sept. 6 at 11:30 a.m. with a luncheon reception following in the Parish Hall.
Memorial donations may be made to the following: Community Food Bank, c/o Grace Episcopal Church Outreach Committee or Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support.
