IN MEMORIAM: Chuck Carrier, 84;
Navy Vet Ran Petroleum Company
COOPERSTOWN – Charles L. “Chuck” Carrier of Cooperstown and Sarasota, Fla., a pioneer in the development of the modern convenience store, passed away Saturday morning, Sept. 27, 2014, at his home in the company of his family. He was 84.
Born June 19, 1930, in Utica, Chuck was the son of Rush and Evelyn (Clarke) Carrier. He attended Albany Academy and graduated from Montclair (N.J.) High School and Colgate University, ’52. Following graduation he enlisted in the Navy, was selected for Officers Candidate School, and was thereafter commissioned as an ensign. He was especially proud to have served a tour on the battleship USS Iowa.
In December 1953, he married Patricia “Pattee” Spaulding. Upon his discharge from the Navy in 1957, he began a life-long career in the petroleum industry, rising to become CEO of Wescar, Inc., a petroleum distribution company headquartered in Sherburne, which served many retail customers throughout Central New York.
Chuck loved the upstate area. The family resided in Sherburne and, in the early 1970s, bought a camp on Otsego Lake at Pegg’s Bay, where he and his family enjoyed many relaxing and fun-filled times. Chuck and Pattee moved permanently to Cooperstown in the mid 1980s.
A generous and community minded individual, he was a loyal supporter of many charities, among them, the “Friends of Bassett” and the “Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.” As a loyal Colgate alumnus, he established the Carrier Scholarship Fund. He was a member of Rotary, both in Sherburne and Cooperstown. As a former club president, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow, one of Rotary’s highest honors. Locally, he was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, the Cooperstown Country Club and the Leatherstocking Golf Club, as well asthe Misty Creek Country Club in Sarasota, where he and Pattee wintered.
Chuck is survived by his wife; his son, Dr. Charles (Tracey) Carrier of Bedford, N.H., and their son Chaz and Chaz’s fiancée, Amy Hunt; by his son, Robert (Missy) Carrier of Boulder, Colo.; his son, Richard Carrier and former daughter-in-law Tippy, and their children, Elizabeth, Second Lieutenant Alexander, and Richard; and by his son, James (Deborah) Carrier of Greenwich, Conn. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Thomas (Anne) Carrier of Minneapolis, Minn. and their children Suzanne, Sara and Libby.
A memorial service is planned at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Christ Episcopal, with Father Mark A. Michael, rector, officiating. Burial and Committal Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the West Hill Cemetery in Sherburne, with full military honors will be accorded. Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at Tillapaugh Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Bassett, One Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY, 13326, or to Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, One Intrepid Square, W 46th St. at 12th Ave., NY, NY 10036.
Arrangements are entrusted to Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.
