Robert Joseph Carney Sr. of Hickory, N.C., passed away on November 12, 2024, at the age of 77.
Born on September 23, 1947, in Darby, Pa., he was the son of the late Francis Carney Sr. and Florine M. (Carney) Fiorito. Bob graduated from Upper Darby High School and earned a first-class Federal Communications Commission (FCC) General Radiotelephone Operator License from Sylvania Technical College.
After completing his education, he worked on ship radar systems and satellites for companies such as Raytheon and MACOM. Later, he pursued additional education in electrical engineering at Catawba Valley Community College.
Bob was an active member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Hickory, N.C., and later joined Christ Church in Mountain View. An avid flashlight and pocket knife collector and a lover of telling jokes, Bob also enjoyed watching movies and spoiling his grandchildren with milkshakes.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brothers, Francis Carney Jr. and James Carney.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Janet Ann Denoncourt Carney of Hickory; three sons: Chris Carney and his wife Francie of Mooresville; Adam Carney and his wife Jennifer of Hickory, and Robert Carney Jr. and his wife Erika of Cornelius. He is also survived by his brother, Thomas Carney of Parkside, Pa.; and sisters, Catherine “Penny” Tustin (Howard) of Media, Pa., Sue Carney (Pat) of Tennessee; and Maryanne Pierlott (Mike) of Clinton, Pa. Additionally, Bob leaves behind his nine grandchildren: Rachel, Maddie, and Will of Mooresville, Austin, Destinie, and Ashley of Hickory, Robert of Kissimmee, Fla., and Ali and John of Cornelius, as well as his eight great-grandchildren.
A private service will be held at 1 p.m. at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville, N.C., on Saturday, December 7, 2024. A public reception will follow the private service from 2 to 4 p.m. at Cavin-Cook.
Bob was an avid blood donor and even donated his bone marrow to save his sister Penny’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that blood or monetary donations be made to the Red Cross at www.redcross.org.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Carney family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.