John Pitman Carty, 75, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, March 21, just

18 weeks after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

John was preceded in death by his loving and faithful wife, Elaine Mary Carty, in July 2004. Two daughters, Elise and Debra, also preceded him in death.

In John’s final hours, he was visited by his four sons: Craig and his wife Victoria; Jeff and his wife Eve; Shawn, his wife Jeanne and daughter Sarah; Scott, his wife Kerry and children Ella and Ethan. He received calls from his daughter Dona, her daughter Rachel and her son Matt; and he was in the thoughts of granddaughters Anna, Erin, Noelle and Rose. John’s final moments were also blessed with calls and visits from other family members and close friends who meant so much to him and made his life extremely special.

John was born Jan. 12, 1934 in Trenton, N.J. to Alvin John Pitman Carty, a farmer, and Rachel Elizabeth Carty, an educator.

He enjoyed a lifelong career in construction, proudly managing and consulting for a variety of projects, ranging from remodeling and expanding Langley United Methodist Church to a nuclear research apparatus and facility at the Princeton University Forrestal Research Center to Century Square and the US Bank Center in downtown Seattle.

John Carty also served the community through the South Whidbey School Board from 1979 to 1991; on the planning and construction of the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts; as Whidbey General Hospital Bond committee chairman; and through the Lions Club and several other local efforts and organizations.

A service was held at Langley United Methodist Church on Friday,

April 3 to celebrate the life and contributions of John Carty, followed by John’s burial at Langley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. The following recipients were suggested by John: Langley United Methodist Church (www.langleyumc.org); Whidbey General Hospital’s WGH Foundation or Friends of Home Health Care (www.whidbeygen.org/waysgive); and Good Cheer Food Bank and Thrift Store (www.good

cheer.org).