Gary Lee Carrier

Gary Lee Carrier, 81, beloved son, nephew, husband, father, grandfather, and friend died peacefully on February 10, 2023, in Orono, Maine after a long illness.

Gary was a proud Vermonter. Born in Burlington on September 4, 1941, he was the son of Clayton and Estella (Moore) Carrier. Raised in Jacksonville and Brattleboro, Gary graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1959 along with several treasured lifelong friends. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Vermont in 1963 and a Master of Education degree from Keene State College in 1969.

In 1965, Gary married Alice Lacoss of Hanover, NH, in the chapel of Brattleboro’s Centre Congregational Church. Gary adored Alice, and they raised their family in Brattleboro, eventually celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary with family and friends in the church parlor. The Carrier Education Play Area was named in recognition of their many years of dedicated service to the church and the Brattleboro Centre for Children.

Gary loved his community and the people in it. Even after moving to Maine to be closer to family, he always thought of Brattleboro as home. He worked for decades at Cersosimo Lumber Company in various roles, from lumber stacker during school vacation to Vice President, and he had many fond memories of his coworkers and the Cersosimo family. Outside of his professional life, Gary gave generously of his time and talents. He was active in local government, serving as a Town Meeting representative and Finance Committee member, and as a member of the Board of Listers. Dedicated throughout his life to his own, his family’s, and others’ education, Gary was also a long-time member and chairman of the Brattleboro Union High School Board, an Incorporator and Trustee of the Austine School, and a Trustee of Kurn Hattin Homes for Children. He took pride in helping others through his work as a Guardian ad Litem and as a member of the Diversion Board for Youth Services of Windham County. He was involved with many other organizations, including the Windham County Humane Society, Kiwanis, and the Masonic Lodge.

Gary loved his friends, downhill and cross-country skiing, Alice’s dinner parties, vacations in Rangeley and on Bailey Island, Maine, hunting camp, and the University of Vermont; hiking in the woods, playing golf, riding horses, long exercise walks, and reading mystery novels; following Red Sox baseball, Patriots football, and his daughters’ and grandchildren’s field hockey, football, basketball, track, and lacrosse teams; and, above all, spending time with his family. He was charming and able to strike up a conversation with anyone, which he often did. He will be remembered by all who knew him for his integrity, work ethic, practicality, and wit, and by his family for the remarkable example that he set for his daughters and grandchildren.

Gary is survived by his two devoted daughters, Allison Lucy and her husband John of Orono, ME, and Christine Hume of South Portland, ME; and by five adoring grandchildren: Jack and his fiancée Christine, Thomas, Mark, Erin, and Paige. He is also survived by his sisters Patricia and Pamela, many nieces and nephews, and his orange tabby cat, Buddy. He was predeceased by his wonderful parents, loving wife, sister Penny, brother Peter, dear Patricia (Denton) MacMurtry, and many other loved ones.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 13th, 2023, at Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro, with a reception and private burial to follow. Donations in Gary’s memory may be sent to Centre Congregational Church or the Windham County Humane Society.

Ker Phaneuf Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. To view an online tribute, leave a message of condolence or for more information please visit www.phaneuf.net.