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John 'Johnnie' Carrier, 60

April 03, 2020

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — John "Johnnie" Carrier, 60, of North Adams passed peacefully away on April 3, 2020, after a long illness.



A graduate of Lansingburg (N.Y.) High School and the "School of Life," he was the son of Earl "Bud" Carrier and Catherine "Cappy" Carrier of Lansingburg.



Johnnie truly loved life and all that it offered. He would make everyone he met feel at ease and leave them with a laugh. He was a renaissance man in the truest form. He was a graduate of Barnum-Bailey-Ringling Brother Clown College and joined Circus Vargus on the West Coast. After moving back East, he joined the improv group and attended Boston College. He became a disc jockey, first working in Bennington, Vt., then joined the former WNMB in North Adams. While there he became Santa Claus on the air every Christmas Eve, trying to grant every child's wish for more than 25 years. During this time, he taught himself to play the guitar and wrote songs, many of which he would play over the years at different venues in the area.



John worked at Johnson School as an assistant teacher, hoping to make an impact on the students there. He also worked at Berkshire Family and Individual Resources as a job coach to try to better the lives of the disabled. He enjoyed writing a weekly column in the former North Adams Transcript, sharing his exploits and his life with his family. Lastly, he was employed as a salesman at RacingJunk in North Adams, where he enjoyed the travel and connecting with people all over the country.



Not without his demons, he loved to make people laugh. He loved music and was always the first one on the dance floor. John fished for hours, bet on horses and wrote columns for Horse Racing Nation. He loved building model trains and would be assisted by Richard Haskins; he looked forward to playing golf each year at Stamford (Vt.) Valley Golf Course. He loved his Mets and Giants, much to the torture of Nick Moulton.



John leaves behind his two loves, his wife, Dawn Luskin-Carrier; and his son, David, his proudest accomplishment. He leaves his sisters, Earlene Topper of Troy, N.Y., and Marianne (Joe) MacCaffrey; nieces Jenna and Sean Hanratty and their daughter, Grace, and Beth Topper; and a nephew, Conor MacCaffrey.



He is going to be missed by his brothers- and sisters-in-law and especially Kim Micklas; many nieces, nephews, cousins and all their children who gave him great joy. He leaves behind his good friend Matthew Volks and all the friends who meant so much to him. He thanks you for your friendship over the years.



He is predeceased by his brother, Harold.



Funeral notice: At the request of the family, a celebration of Mr. Carrier's life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to the Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Bank of North Adams in care of Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Homes, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247. To add to the book of memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifunerahomes.com.




Recollections & Sympathy For the Family
Post Comment
Met john last summer at pedrins dairy bar grew up with him in troy ny always jolly. Very sorry
from: Mario dinovoon: 04-10-2020

Dear Dawn and David, so sorry for the loss of your husband and a father. His obituary was very interesting about his life.
He certainly enjoyed his life. May he rest in peace. God Bless you all. Barbara Oneil
from: Barbara O'Neilon: 04-09-2020

I had the privelege of meeting and working with John at BFAIR. A funny, funny man , with a heart of gold and so Wonderful with all the individuals who came to the program.
from: Maureen Strypeon: 04-07-2020

RIP John, a great friend to many.
from: Kate lynnon: 04-07-2020

Dear Dawn & David
I am so sorry for your loss. John was such a great guy.
Always a smile on his face. He always left people with a smile on their face. WMNB rocked when he was on the air!
from: Mary E. Willeyon: 04-07-2020

I am so sorry for your loss , my thoughts and prayers are with you and Dave .
from: Michael LaValley on: 04-06-2020

Dawn and family, So very sorry for your loss,My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time He was one of a kind. Kathy Ziarnik
from: Kathyon: 04-06-2020

OMG I’m so sorry for your loss. I work with John at
BCARC. He was a character, fun to be around and a gentle soul, will be missed.
from: Steve Loringon: 04-06-2020

Dear Dawn and Dave,
I always enjoyed bumping into Johnnie around town. He was a great guy. I'm very sorry for your loss. He will be missed. Please accept my sincere condolences.

Carl Villanueva
from: Carl Villanuevaon: 04-06-2020

Dear Dawn, My deepest condolences to you and David. I had the pleasure of working with John at BCArc. He was an amazing man and someone I always admired. A huge heart, a great sense of humor and an infectious smile. Please know you are in my thoughts and John forever in my heart.
from: Shaun Hallon: 04-06-2020

Dear Dawn,
So sorry to hear of your husbands passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lorraine
from: Lorraine Mancusoon: 04-06-2020

So very sad to learn that John has passed. He was such a wonderful person to know and I will miss his smile and humor.
My sympathy to All.
from: Cindy Lamoreon: 04-06-2020

My thoughts and prayers are with you. Lynn Lampiasi
from: Dawn,on: 04-06-2020

Dear Dawn and David: We are sorry for your loss, God Bless.
from: Dale and Brett Keatingon: 04-06-2020

When I think of John I only remember a smiling face and heart felt laugh. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
from: Linda Tarbox Stancliffeon: 04-06-2020

Dear Dawn and David:
I was deeply saddened to hear of Johnnie's passing. May God bring you peace in this time of sorrow.
from: Lisa Dickinson-Arthuron: 04-05-2020

Dawn, please accept my deepest condolences on the death of John. I am praying for your family at this sad time.
from: Maureen Taft Mooreon: 04-05-2020

Condolences to John's family, he will be missed. I truly enjoyed working with him at WNAW/WMNB. Rest in peace Johnnie.
from: Mark Powellon: 04-05-2020

Dawn and Family, I'm so sorry for your loss.
from: Nancy Lewitton: 04-05-2020

I worked with John, what a super nice, very funny and likable guy. He will be missed. R.I.P. John.....
from: Rick Bombardieron: 04-05-2020

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