Thomas Bertrand Carney

Thomas Bertrand “Bert” Carney, 91, passed away after a short illness on September 8, 2023. Bert was the son of Gene and Mary (McDonald) Carney and the fifth of seven children. He was born on August 15th, 1932, at the height of the Great Depression on the family farm near Emmetsburg, Iowa, a town settled by Irish immigrants, including his family. Bert’s ambition, faith, commitment to family and cherishing of his Irish heritage were greatly shaped by these early influences. Even at an early age, Bert was driven to earn money and had a newspaper route, set up bowling pins at the local bowling alley and shined shoes. Bert also developed a love for playing pool and played snooker at the pool hall in Emmetsburg. Bert also excelled at softball. Although he was right-handed, he was coached at a young age to bat left-handed in softball, and his team participated in statewide tournaments. Bert attended parochial schools throughout his life. He was an excellent student and was given the opportunity to skip a grade while in elementary school. In high school he was recruited to join the seminary but declined due to his devotion to his mother. After graduating from Sacred Heart in Boone, Iowa, Bert worked with his brothers in Texas and Iowa before enlisting in the navy at the start of the Korean War. Although he was in the top of his class as a marksman, Bert trained as a radioman and decoded messages transmitted in Morse code on hospital ships. He also participated in boxing matches while in the Navy and taught the principles of boxing to all his children. It was during his time in the navy that he developed a passion for travel and a love of adventure. After serving in the Navy for two tours, Bert returned to Iowa and began a business partnership with his brother, Jerry. In 1957, he entered the most important partnership of his life when he married Nancy. Their first date, orchestrated by his sister, Janese, was followed by a short engagement and endured as a 65-year romance. The couple were married at Sacred Heart in Boone and honeymooned in Colorado where Bert had worked for a short time. After they were married, Bert and Nancy resided in Ames, Iowa, and it was in Ames that all six of their children were born. Bert was active in St. Cecelia’s Parish and local civic groups. The family enjoyed summers at their cottage in Clear Lake and enduring friendships and business relationships with the Bartels and Jennison families. In 1971 Bert and Nancy made the bold step to leave friends and family in Iowa and move to Colorado Springs where Bert owned a series of successful businesses. Bert was on the parish council at St. Paul’s, on the finance committee and men’s group Holy Trinity and a founding member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. As Colorado Springs grew too large, Bert and Nancy found an opportunity in 1990 to move to Fort Collins, Colorado, a town they had grown to love when visiting their four children who graduated from Colorado State University. Bert’s final business endeavor was the purchase of what is now The Armstrong Hotel building. After selling the business in 1997, Bert and Nancy spent their retirement traveling extensively throughout the US, Europe and South America while enjoying their home and neighbors in Eagle Lake and hosting family gatherings for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bert was an accomplished storyteller, wine aficionado and rarely lost a bet. As a father, Bert ensured that his children attended church, ate meals together and recognized the importance of looking your best. Bert and Nancy loved to entertain. He was an excellent host and ensured that no one’s glass was ever completely empty. A lifelong Republican, Bert was an avid follower of politics and loved to share his opinion about the issues that mattered most to him. Bert was very proud of his Irish heritage and treated St. Patrick’s Day as a national holiday that included flying the Irish flag, playing Irish music, and sampling of Irish ales throughout the day. Bert and Nancy traveled to Ireland many times during their marriage. Bert was preceded by his beloved wife, Nancy and his six siblings Don, Jerry, Jim, Pat, Mike, and Janese (Hancock). He is survived by his six children Mike (Sally), Bryan (Dana), Dennis, Kathleen, Sheila (Keith) Freischlag and Pat (Derek), eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and his sister-in-l aw, Mary Carney. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at St. Joseph Church Catholic Church, 300 West Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, on Friday, November 10, at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow.

Tributes

Thomas Bertrand Carney

August 15, 1932 - September 8, 2023