Thomas Joseph Carr

Thomas Joseph Carr, Jr., 82, of 1717 Beecher Ave., Galesburg, passed away peacefully with his family at his side, at 6:05 a.m. on Sunday , March 6, 2011. He was born December 11, 1928 in Galesburg, the son of Thomas J. Carr Sr. and Winifred Josephine (Hoben) Carr.  He married Geraldine Jaggers on January 8, 1949 in Galesburg.  He later married Patricia Jo Wenzel Rees in Galesburg, on August 1, 1970. Joe is survived by one son, Thomas J. Carr III of Savannah, two daughters, Catherine Ann (and Edward Chuey) of Lakewood, CO and Jean Marie (and James) Carothers of Galesburg; 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.  He has one brother, Leo Bernard Carr and two sisters, Mary Madeline Carr of Galesburg and Bernadine Ann Gardner of Littleton, CO.  He was preceded in death by his son, Lesley Martin Carr and by four brothers, Francis Michael Carr of Rio, James Edward Carr of Littleton, CO, Norman Carr in Ireland, and Patrick Eugene Carr who was lost at sea.  Joe graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1949.  He worked as a tool and die maker at Gale Products for 35 years.  He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  He was a 4th degree Member and past Worthy Navigator of the Knights of Columbus and worked many tootsie roll drives.  He was president of St. Vincent DePaul Society and helped with the Christmas baskets for the poor.  He supported Catholic action and education, and made many donations to Costa Catholic Academy.  He was a charter member of St. Patrick’s weekly Holy Hour since 1987 with Father MacPoland. Joe had a lifelong love of traveling.  He has been in Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, where he visited the Pope in Vatican City, Venezuela, Panama Canal, Columbia, South America, Australia, Africa, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland.  He also visited the Holy Shrine of Knock in Ireland and Our Lady of Lourdes in Fatima. He was head of the flag committee where he was instrumental in the installations of many flags for the McAteer Center, St. Mary’s Cemetery, and St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  He installed a cemetery stone for the unborn child at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  He was instrumental in helping Leo Jordan construct a black marble altar at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  He acquired the school bell from St. Joseph’s Academy and is now on display at Costa School.  He helped fix the church chimes at St. Patrick’s Church with Father McCall and now they ring three times a day. Funeral Mass for Joe will be 10 a.m. Thursday, March 10, 2011 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Watson Funeral Home, Galesburg.  The rosary will be prayed at 8 p.m.  Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, St. Vincent DePaul, or to Costa Catholic Academy.