Patrick James Carney

Patrick James Carney

– The End of the Trail—

Alaskan Pioneer and former Statesman Patrick James Carney passed away quietly at his home near Wasilla at 0552 Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at the age of 92. As determined and independent as ever, he chose to make his Last Stand off the grid at the end of Moose Meadows Road, near the foot of Bald Mountain, surrounded by a half-dozen of his adult children who held his hand and had their last morning coffee with their Dad.

Pat was born in the coal country of New Lexington, Ohio, on October 1, 1928. He came to Alaska in 1948 and staked his homestead in the Matanuska Valley in 1949. He was called back to Ohio for the Korean War draft in 1951 and served a year in Korea as a Supply Sergeant with the 7th Infantry, 17th regiment ‘Buffalos’ Company D, where he received a Bronze Star.

After the war, he returned to Wasilla and married Barbara Ann Carter. They moved into the log cabin at the homestead in 1955 and planted roots for family and farm along the banks of the Little Susitna River. While they grew the farm, he worked many other jobs to survive. Some, but not all, were as a gold miner, coal miner, truck driver, and a foreman in the construction of the Eklutna Hydro-electric Dam Project. Through the years, he not only cleared his own fields, but also carved many roads and trails through the wilderness on behalf of the community. In the 1960’s, he started Wasilla Refuse and was a co-founder of Carney Bros Construction. He later got involved in the Alaskan Legislature, where he served two terms, from 1979 to 1982, and from 1991 to 1994.

Throughout his life, Pat was possessed with a pioneer spirit, boundless energy, ambition, and an indomitable work ethic. In his twilight years, he often admitted that he valued family above all other endeavors and enjoyed his status as the Patriarch of the Alaskan Carneys. He had an infectious smile and will be missed by all.

Pat is survived by his former wife and close friend, Barbara A. Carney; nine siblings; his children, Patrick T. Carney (Larrisa Cummings), Steven J. (Debra) Carney, Julia M. (John) Schirack, Margaret R. (Mike) Mark-Anthony, Daniel G. (Kim) Carney, Mark D. Carney, Ralph V. (Darcy) Carney, Theodore N. (Erin) Carney, Molly L. (Dennis) Smedley; and nineteen grandchildren, including Janelle Wight, Rachel Cummings, Marsha Olson, A.J. Schirack, Wade Schirack, Marlee Hall, Kelly Carney, Haley Carney, Ally Carney, Millie Carney, Feona Carney, Waylen Carney, Tabea Carney, Robin Carney, Cheri Hall, Nigel Smedley, Vincent Smedley, Marisol Smedley and Oscar Smedley. At present, the great grandchildren tally is at 10.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles E. & Margaret C. (Allen) Carney, and brother Daniel V. Carney.

There will be a private Celebration of Life held this spring for family. Arrangements have been entrusted with Valley Funeral Home.