Joseph James Carrig, 82, of Woonsocket and formerly of Coupon, Pennsylvania passed away on Sunday after a brief illness. He was the son of the late Anna (Burns) Carrig and Patrick Carrig. Before moving to Woonsocket in 1984 he lived in Pittsfield, MA for many years and in Blackstone, MA from 1968-1984.
Surviving is his companion of 37 years Helen Thibault, of Blackstone, three sisters: Maude Yeatts, Faye Augenbaugh, and Judy Clouser. Uncle Joe is beloved by many surviving nieces and nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ann M. (Petyak) Carrig who died April 30th, 1958 and seven siblings: Ethel McIntire, Ruth Beldin, John Carrig, Betty Cortina, Leona Ronan, Helen Balzano, and Mary Jane Young.
When he started working for AT& T Joseph used horse drawn sleighs and snowshoes to travel into remote areas to repair fallen lines. When Joseph retired from AT&T after 40 years of service he was supervising crews using helicopters and multiple types of large vehicles to maintain the largest communication lines throughout the New England area. He was a Life member of the Telephone Pioneers.
Joseph was a Navy veteran of WWII and served in the Pacific theater on the USS Sitka. He joined the Navy in 1944 at age seventeen and achieved the rank of Seaman First Class. He returned home in 1946 and earned his high school diploma in 1947. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Friends will be received on Friday, October 30th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Menard Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. At 7:00 p.m. friends and family are invited to celebrate Joseph’s life by sharing their memories of him.
Friends will be received on Sunday, November 1st from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, Gallitzin, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 2nd at 10 a.m. St. Mary’s of Czestochowa Church, Gallitzin. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Gallitzin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Precious Blood Parish, 94 Carrington Ave, Woonsocket, RI 02895; the Disabled American Veterans (http://www.dav.org) or the Veterans for America (http://www.veteransforamerica.org).
www.menardfuneralhome.com