The Mountainside community is mourning the unexpected and heartbreaking death of Tom Carney. Terence R. Dougherty, the president and CEO of the Mountainside Foundation, remembers him:
"We are all shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of our dear friend, Tom Carney…..Tommy, as he was known to so many, died suddenly on Saturday, October 27th of a massive heart attack at the young age of 42. Tommy and his beloved wife, Carole, lived on Belden Road. Tommy managed the Mountainside Café located on Route 7. He was so much more than a Restaurant Manager. The Mountainside Café is owned by the Mountainside Foundation that operates the residential substance abuse treatment center up the road in Canaan. The Café is staffed by clients of Mountainside who have completed their stay and moved on to a transitional phase in which they reside on the Mountainside property and work in various jobs at the Café. 
So, in addition to his position as Manager of the restaurant, Tommy was a mentor for all of the people who worked there and were under his care. He has helped countless numbers of people with his compassionate and comforting way. So many grew to love him and spoke often of how much he helped them in their recovery.
His shocking, sudden death has devastated his family, friends and everyone at Mountainside. Tommy and Carole were married in August 2006. Like Tommy, Carole works in the health-care field. They were in the process of adopting a child. Tommy was too young . . . and too needed by Carole, his family and the countless numbers of people who looked to him for care and leadership.
Tommy . . . we will never forget you.
Love from All of Your Friends at Mountainside
There will be a service at St. Joseph’s Church on Main Street in Canaan on Friday, November 2nd at 4:00 PM
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
In Memoriam: Tom Carney
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9 comments:
Tommy will be so sadly missed by so many. He was a friend to everyone he met. He greeted everyone with a smile and always made you feel welcome whether at the cafe, in his home or a chance meeting elsewhere.
My family usually goes to dinner at Mountainside on Friday nights but we weren't going to the cafe', as my children would say "we're going to see Tommy". Pretty much everyone either knows or has heard of our 4 year old son, Shea, and no matter what occured that night at dinner(i.e. Shea pulling the emergency switch in the bathroom, locking himself in the bathroom, "stealing" all the M&Ms, attempting to go home with the entire jar of lollipops, spilling his milk and once projectile vomiting across the table )Tommy would smile and be right there to assist. He had the patience of a saint and such a genuine heart.
We could tell "Tommy stories" all night and every one of them would bring a smile and many tears.
The entire community has suffered a great loss with the passing of Tommy. He was a friend to us all.
We must say goodbye to our friend Tom and that hurts. But our hearts will be warmed each time we think of his infectious smile, and we will laugh remembering his many great stories, and we too will smile because we had the gift of being Tom’s friends and learning the enormity of goodness that one kind, sweet, gentle, compassionate man brings to this life.
We could always be sure Tom had placed a ‘reserved’ sign on our table in the corner at Mountainside each busy Friday night at 6:00 and we will always have a reserved spot for Tom etched in our hearts.
Nancy and I first met Tommy in April of 02 when we bought our house on Johnson Road. The Café was one of our frequent stops for food. What we noticed first about Tommy was that great smile of his. He always made us welcome. I also believe Tommy was the rough cut version of the Falls Village Blog. Anything we needed to know about this town we would ask Tommy and he would have some great stories for us.
Later in March of 04 Terry offered me the job as Food Service Director for the Mountainside Foundation. That decision was a “no brainer”, having already known all the people involved, as well as being able to work with the residents of Mountainside’s great program. Over the years working with Tommy has been great. We will all miss him tremendously.
I can’t help think of Tommy and not think of all his “toys.” Let’s just say the company Stihl will miss his purchases. I think he had just about everything they offered the homeowner and them some. He couldn’t wait to pop open the back of his truck and show us his new purchases. Let’s not forget his tractor. When he got that I think you almost had to pry him off to get him inside. He drove it over to our house to help me clear out a small area. He kept saying “come on Mike a little more.” If I hadn’t stopped him he would have clear cut the area all the way to Cockerline’s.
Tommy would walk by when you would be cooking and say “quality control” and grab a piece of whatever you were prepping. When the pork loins came out of the oven the ends would be sliced off within seconds. Bakery items had no chance. The best was when we would bake the magic squares and we would have them cool on the baker's rack. Well as the day would go on, a little 1 inch piece would be missing and slowly it would grow larger and larger until a long 2 inch strip was gone. We would look over at Tommy and he would put his arms up, give us that smile and say “I have no idea what happened. Wasn’t me.” Then start laughing. We’ll all miss that laugh.
Nancy says she will never listen to “When Irish eyes are smiling” again without Tommy’s face in the forefront of her memory. May you rest in peace Tommy and know all the hearts you have touched. We will miss you. We loved you.
Thanks for all the memories. From all the staff at Mountainside Café.
Tommy was a great friend and one of the first people I met when I ended up at Mountainside in 2002. He became a good friend of mine and I always enjoyed our fun times together. Terry and I would terrorize him with prank phone calls to the Cafe and jokes and ridiculous behavior down at the restaurant on a Friday night. He always handled everything with a can do attitude and a big smile. You could always count on Tommy to do what needed to get done no matter how anoying or trivial the task or the time of day or night. My thoughts and prayers go out to Carole and the rest of Tommy's family who he spoke of often and loved very much. There are no words that can describe how much he will be missed in person but his spirit will live on in all the people he has touched and helped or talked to during a meltdown in the kitchen at the cafe! You will never be forgotten buddy!!
Matt
It is so lovely to read all the lovely words about Tommy. I am his cousin from Ireland and now live up in Canada. It is so lovely to hear you all tell stories about him. Thank you, from Maria
Tom's huge smile said it all. He was always kind to my children, and indeed, to all the towns children. I can think of no better epitaph.
My family and I would like to express our deepest gratitude and love to each and every one of you. We could not have made it through today without you. Tommy loved everything about all of you and would always come home and share all of things that went on throughout his day. It was so exciting and made us both so very happy. We are praying for each of you as we will all take care of each other and God will keep us and Tommy safe as long as we stay together and keep the FAITH!!!! We Love you all and thanks to you all.
Tom is every mother's dream of the perfect husband for her daughter. I would tell Tom he was the Prince Charming for my Cinderella daughter. I believe God created Tom for Carole and Carole for Tom.
I told Tom if God asked me what I wished He would create for the perfect man for my daughter from the color of his hair to the color of his eyes to the loving spirit within him, I would tell God, "You already have and his name is Tom Carney." And I believe God would say to me, "I know."
Even though Tom and Carole's time together was heartrenchingly short. I believe Tom Carney (our beloved prince) was the Greatest Gift our family ever received.
Derville Daly
I have just come across all the beautiful comments left about my most adorable brother. I cannot describe the hole that has been left by his absence, he was most definately our Prince and Carole his Princess. It makes my sister and I happy to know that he had a beautiful family up with you all and that you all got to know that beautiful heart. My proudest moment was to dance (be it very badly as I do not know how to do a jig but winged it) at his wedding. Tommy and Kathleen made my life complete, Carole our beautiful sister-in-law deserved so much more, the days are dark right now and our hearts are broken, but to read your stories helps to know how much he was loved and how much he will be missed. Tommy you will always be my hero
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