Donald P. Carey 78, of Brunswick, Maine passed peacefully on August 21, 2024 in a Brunswick ME Hospital after a brief illness. He was attended by his wife Sheila.
Don was born November 9, 1945, in LeMars, Iowa to Mark and Lucille (Anderson) Carey of Marcus, IA. He grew up on the family farm North East of Marcus and attended Marcus Public Schools graduating in 1963. He began his college education at Northwestern College of Orange City, IA for 2 years and continued at the University of Northern Iowa at Cedar Falls, IA graduating in the spring of 1967 with a degree in mathematics.
Immediately after college graduation Don began his life’s work in the insurance industry. His long insurance career as a Commercial Insurance Underwriter started in Omaha, NE with United States Fidelity and Guarantee. He continued with USF&G for several years at offices in Albuquerque and San Jose New Mexico.. Subsequent career moves took him to The Home (Insurance Company) in Houston, TX, followed by Maine Bonding and Casualty Company in Portland, ME. His career progressed to The Maryland Insurance Company and Zurich North American, both in Portland, Maine, later transferring to the Zurich Insurance offices in Baltimore, Maryland. He completed his insurance career with CNA (Insurance Companies) in Hunt Valley, Maryland.
During the years 1991-92, while working in Maine, he was selected to serve on a panel to restructure the entire Workers Compensation program in the State of Maine. This was a massive restructuring process. This assignment was a testament to Don’s professional ability and stature.
Donald was dedicated to his career. As noted above he worked as a Commercial Lines Underwriter at several large commercial insurance companies. He earned multiple professional designations including: Associate Underwriter; Associate in Risk Management; Certified Property and Casualty Underwriter; and Certified Insurance Counselor.
Don married Sheila Learnard May 17, 1996 at the Standish Methodist Church in Standish, ME. In retirement Don & Sheila settled in Brunswick, ME near Sheila’s family and her childhood home. In his spare time and during retirement Don enjoyed fishing, camping, and traveling extensively in their motor home. Together, Don and Sheila were avid dog owners with Don favoring the German Shepherd breed. He trained his dogs according to the German Police Dog Training Code of Discipline known as Sculzhund.
Don is survived by his wife of 28 years Sheila D (Leonard) Carey, two stepsons Jeremy Huston and Ryan Cox, granddaughter Haley Cox and a grandson Nikolai Cox. Three brothers: Robert and wife Nancy of Marion, IA; John and wife Esther of Marcus, IA; Richard and wife Jane of Tucson AZ.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Mark and Lucille Carey, sister Jane Carey Bryant, two infant sisters Betty and Patricia, and nephew Timothy Carey.
According to Don’s instruction, there has been no formal service. There will be a committal at the Sawyer Cemetery in Durham, Maine at a later date. A portion of Don’s cremated remains were placed beside his parents and sister Jane at the Marcus Amherst Township Cemetery in Marcus, IA on November 22, 2024.
