Michael J. Carney Sr., a longtime Salem resident and community leader whose commitment to the town was second only to his devotion to his family—election day excluded—passed away suddenly on March 28 at his son's home in Freedom, NH.

Mike was born on January 27, 1934, the son of James and Rita (McDonough), and was raised in the greater Lawrence area. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, worked summers at Canobie Lake Park, and during his youth established lifelong friendships with Gene Langevin, George Murray, Buzz Mahoney and his cousin, Charlie Breen, and subsequently their spouses and children who were constant presences in his life.

Shortly after enrolling in Emerson College in 1952 Mike began working at the college radio station where he struck up a friendship with his record spinner Nan (Hannah) Whelpley, and the two were inseparable for the next 67 years. Mike joined the army in 1953 and proposed to Nancy while serving in Formosa, marrying in June 1957. After leaving the army Mike attended Boston University, graduating in 1960.

Mike started his career as a journalist and worked as a reporter for the Lawrence Eagle Tribune in the early 1960s and along with Nancy moved across the border to the small town of Salem in 1962. He quickly became involved in community affairs; after several years of volunteer work, he won a seat on the Board of Selectmen, despite being a carpetbagger and a Democrat. He subsequently served as Chairman of the School Board, Chairman of the Housing Authority, School District Clerk, and was an election moderator for more than 30 years. Mike was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Salem where he served as an usher for over 50 years. He was also a member of the Salem American Legion Post 63. He and Nancy jointly received the John Ganley community service award in 2009 for their many contributions to Salem over the years.

Mike was particularly dedicated to Salem's youth. He helped organize the Salem Youth Baseball League, Cub Pack 404, and served as President of the Haigh School PTA. Along with several families in town, Mike and Nancy helped secure the funding for the building of the Salem Boys and Girls Club. A baseball fanatic—he could spend hours discussing inning by inning of a Red Sox game from the 1940s or 1950s-- Mike was an umpire for more than 20 years and helped establish the American Legion Baseball team. Every fall, for over 30 years Mike could be found on Friday nights or Saturday afternoons running the game clock at SHS home football games. A founding member of the SHS/Woodbury Hall of Fame Committee, Mike was humbled and honored to be inducted into the Hall in 2016.

A born storyteller, Mike relished providing election night results along with his daughter Nanci on Salem's Community TV station, and he and his wife Nancy, for many years, served as hosts of the stations coverage of the town's yearly Christmas Parade. Mike helped bring theater to Salem in the summers as a founding member of the Town and Country Playhouse and along with some of his children and grandchildren was a cast member for several years in the town's production of A Christmas Carol, fortunately for the attendees in a role that required limited or no singing.

Mike loved spending time at the beach and for more than 40 years vacationed at Silver Lake, NH with his family and friends, enjoying his seven and sevens with Nancy and showing no mercy when playing 45s. He traveled extensively with Nancy following his many years at Raytheon and as a Real Estate Agent.

In addition to his wife, Mike is survived by his sister Kathy and husband Leo Sayer of New Jersey, daughter Nanci, of Silver Lake, NH; Michael Jr and wife Jill of Salem, Bill of Freedom, NH, and Rob and wife Diana of Barefoot Bay, Florida and his "fourth son" Enrique Lopez of Mexico. Pa will be sorely missed by his nine grandchildren, Tim and wife Aly and Matt Groch; Mary and husband Justin Engelbert; Meghan and husband Matt Bagdovitz; Lauren, Ryan, Sean, Kaleigh and wife Kara and Dylan Carney, and his great grandchildren, Connor Bagdovitz and Asher Groch.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Mike's name to one of the following charities; Field of Dreams, P.O. Box 2334, Salem, NH 03079, SalemHaven Nursing Home Resident Council Fund, 23 Geremonty Drive Salem, NH 03079 or Isaiah 58, 472 NH-111, Hampstead, NH 03841.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH.

To send a message of condolence to the family, and to check on funeral arrangements, please view the obituary at www.douglasandjohnson.com