Carey, Sonny (Emile) passed away July 12, 2019 due to complications from pneumonia.

Sonny was born in Bras d’Or, Cape Breton, NS on December 4, 1933. He attended school in Bras d’Or and Millville before entering the work force at the tender age of 15.  Sonny had a variety of occupations in his younger days:  laborer, textile worker, coal miner, and merchant seaman on the Great Lakes.  He married Peg in January, 1953 and shortly after he enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces.  Sonny served with “Z” Battery in Shilo, MB, 1 RCHA in Winnipeg, and 28 COD in Shilo, where he packed and repaired parachutes.  During that time, Sonny was posted to London, ON, where he was attached to 2RCR as a parachute rigger with “B” Company.  In 1966 Sonny returned to Shilo, MB and continued as a rigger with 28 COD until it was relocated to Edmonton under the new name Canadian Forces Parachute Packing Maintenance Dept.

 

At this point Sonny decided he’d had enough of the military life, so he retired from the service in 1971. He then attended Assiniboine Community College in Brandon where he completed his Grade 12 Equivalency and received certification as a journeyman mechanic.  Sonny then worked for the Department of National Defence and the German Army as a painter for 17 years until he retired in June 1990.

 

Sonny and Peg moved to Vernon, BC in the summer of 1990. When Sonny wasn’t washing his car, he kept busy doing odd jobs for Peg, his daughter Vicki, and for many of his neighbors in Ironwood.  He continued to enjoy singing and playing his guitar, especially during his annual vacation in Cape Breton each summer.

 

Sonny was predeceased by his parents Emma and Robert Carey, also three brothers, Bobby, Dennis and Ernie. He is survived by Peg, his loving wife of 66 years, son Ron, granddaughter Susan (Daniel) and great-grandchildren Riley and Zachary, daughter Vicki, sister Mary, brothers Buddsie and Sander.

 

To honor Sonny’s wishes, he requested that there be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in his name.