William (Bill) Francis Carey, Sr. was peacefully called home to the Lord with his family by his side on Friday, October 5, 2018. He was 76.

Born in Philadelphia, Pa, Bill was the beloved husband of Judith (Pancoast) and son of the late Thomas and Alice Carey (Dowd). He was predeceased by his brothers, Joseph and Thomas (Regina) Carey and his sister, Marianne Bedesem (Richard). Bill honorably served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1967. He was a true family man who was passionately devoted to his children and a devout Catholic who had a profound Faith. Bill met and fell in love with his wife Judith in 1969 at the Jersey Shore and they were blessed with seven children. They began their life in Philadelphia, but raised their children in Ocean City, NJ and retired in Marmora, NJ. Bill worked in the Food and Beverage industry. He had the most generous heart and his kindness and compassion was something that Bill gave not only to his closest family and friends, but to all with whom he had contact. Bill was an enthusiastic reader, and an avid sports fan. He loved the beach, watching tennis on TV or in person at the US Open with his children, and he was a great dancer. Bill’s legacy is his 19 grandchildren whom he adored and loved very much. He truly enjoyed going to their games, their plays and their Grandparent’s Day at school. He also had an awesome devotion to our Blessed Mother and he loved saying the Rosary.

William Francis, Sr. is survived and loved by his wife, Judith (Pancoast); seven children: William Francis, Jr. (Lucia), Judith (Frank William III), Anthony, Joseph (Valerie), Mary Kate (Anthony Joseph), Margaret (Jason) and Alice; 19 grandchildren: Joseph, Clare, John Paul, Frank William IV, Jacqueline, Sophia, Margaret, Sean, Tony, Anna, Genevieve, Jude, Adlai, Mary, Sammy, Ava, Audrey, William Francis III and Luke; sister, Alice Whalen Carey (late Thomas); brother John and his wife Regina; and many loving nephews, nieces, and extended family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 12 at 11:00am at Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Church of the Resurrection, 200 West Tuckahoe Road, Marmora, NJ 08223. A visitation will be held from 9:00am until 11:00am. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, 5061 Harding Highway, Mays Landing, NJ 08330.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Bill’s memory can be made to the Joy Geller Simmerman Breast Cancer Fund: 3700 Pembroke Lane, Ocean City, NJ 08226.