Daniel J Carnese

Daniel Joseph Carnese, Sr., 91, passed away peacefully after a long illness at his home in Woodbury, CT on Tuesday, August 1, 2017,with his beloved wife, Jean, and loving family at his side.

 Dan was born in Greenwich, CT, on August 29, 1925, the only child of Anthony G. Carnese and Jean Orlando Carnese. He grew up in Ryebrook, NY, graduating from Port Chester High School in 1943.  Pursuing his lifelong interest in aviation, he entered RPI’s aeronautical engineering program and then transferred to MIT, receiving his BS in Aeronautical Engineering in 1947.  His first employer was Piasecki Aircraft in PA, a pioneer in rotocraft research and development. 

 In 1953 Dan joined Republic Aircraft in fixed-wing aircraft development and moved to Merrick, LI, NY., where his family grew with the births of Daniel, Jr. and Diane Carol.

 In 1966 Dan returned to his first love, helicopters, and moved to CT and Sikorsky Aircraft.  In 1970 he became a resident of Westport, CT, and became involved in community affairs for the next 23 years as a member of the Westport Republican Town Committee,  Westport Taxpayers Association, Westport Representative Town Meeting, the Westport Horticultural Society, the MIT Club of Fairfield County, and St. Luke’s RC Church.

  Dan received his Masters Degree in management from the University of Bridgeport in 1973. He then joined the UB faculty, where he established and became the first director of the Engineering School’s Co-operative Work Program.

Leaving UB  in 1978,  Dan became a Federal employee of the US Navy as an engineering professional for NAVPRO at Sikorsky Aircraft.  Subsequently he left NAVPRO and rejoined Sikorsky’s Engineering Department until his retirement in 1990.

 Shortly after retirement Dan purchased a vacation home in Bolton Landing, NY, on Lake George, where he had spent many summers as a child. True to his life-long commitment to giving back to his community, he became a staunch supporter and active board member of the Lake George Association, as well as the Congers Point Association.

 Dan married Jean Viering McGuire in 1994 and, leaving prior lives behind, they moved to Woodbury, CT to begin a new chapter together.  Although permanent residents of Woodbury they continued to spend much of each year in their beloved Bolton Landing house where they made many friends and enjoyed entertaining their families and out-of-state friends.

  In Woodbury, Dan  became involved in his new community. He served on the 2000 Charter Revision Commission, supported many civic causes, and for many years was a frequent attendee at Town Meetings and Board meetings.  Dan gave generously of his time, talent, and treasure to those causes he cared about. He was a long-time member of the Woodbury Lions Club and St. Teresa’s Men’s Club. 

 Survivors, in addition to his beloved wife, Jean,  include his son, Daniel J. Carnese, Jr. (Angela Sutton) of Emerald Hills, CA, his daughter, Diane C. Seader (Robert) of Lower Gwynedd, PA, his step-daughter, Lisa M. Myers (Michael Rivard) of Seymour, CT, his stepson John C. (Jay) McGuire of Eden Prairie, MN, and grandchildren Sara M. Myers (Mark Marchitto) of Beacon Falls, CT and Matthew R. McGuire of North Kingston, RI.

Calling hours will take place at Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home, Main St. South, Woodbury, on Friday, August 4, from 5-8. The Memorial Mass will take place on Saturday, August 5, at 11 a.m., at St. John of the Cross Church, Middlebury, CT,  with the family greeting friends beginning at 10 a.m.  Burial will follow at North Cemetery, Woodbury.

 Donations in Dan’s memory may be made to:

                        The Salvation Army;  Boys Town, Nebraska;  St. Jude’s Hospital, Memphis, TN;  or  St. Vincent de Paul Mission, Waterbury CT.

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