Gov. Hugh L. Carey

Gov. Hugh L. Carey,

The skirl of bagpipes, the cadences of beloved hymns and the loving reflections of family members echoed in St. Patrick’s Cathedral at the Funeral Mass for Gov. Hugh L. Carey.

Carey, who led the state from 1975 to 1982, died Aug. 7 at his summer home on Shelter Island. He was 92.

Archbishop Dolan celebrated the Funeral Mass Aug. 11. Cardinal Egan, a friend of the late governor and his family, presided at the Mass and delivered the homily. About 1,000 attended.

The archbishop welcomed the congregation and described the Funeral Mass not only as an act of prayer and faith in Christ, but also as a gathering “in loving solidarity with a grateful, grieving family.”

Concelebrating were Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany; Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Sullivan, vicar general; and 16 other priests.

Dignitaries who attended included Gov. Andrew Cuomo, former Govs. George Pataki and Mario Cuomo, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Mayors Rudolph Giuliani and Edward Koch.

Carey was known for his decisive action to save New York City and the state from financial collapse in the 1970s. He was a staunch supporter of Catholic charities and Catholic education, and he strongly opposed abortion and the death penalty.

Cardinal Egan, in his homily, called Carey a “great American, great New Yorker and truly great man.”

The cardinal spoke about the biblical book Ecclesiasticus and its author, Ben Sirach, who “invites us…to celebrate those in our midst who have glorified their God by lives of dedicated service to their communities,” Cardinal Egan said. He gave examples from Ben Sirach, including “political leaders who exercise their authority with zeal and courage.” He then cited Carey’s seven terms as a congressional representative from Brooklyn, his eight years as governor and his skill in preventing financial ruin in the city and state.

He mentioned Carey’s commitment to education, to the physically and mentally disabled and to “laboring men and women.”

“He successfully opposed the death penalty, and I cannot resist adding that, after some years on the opposite side, he became an uncompromising defender of the innocent child in the womb,” Cardinal Egan said. He noted Carey’s service in World War II—he was awarded the Bronze Star—and his devotion to his late wife, Helen, and their 14 children.

The cardinal noted that Ben Sirach also called for praise for singers “who, in his words, rejoice their friends ‘with ballads and melodies.’ ”

“Hugh Carey did precisely that…He knew all of the Irish songs by heart and sang them with immense pleasure…For he was not only a proud and marvelously charming Irishman: He was, as well, a man of faith and drive who labored tirelessly to bring peace to the land of his forebears.”

Cardinal Egan said that four years ago he went to Carey for help on a particular matter of concern. He said that he told Carey, “I need a big favor from you.”

Carey’s instant reply was, “You got it. What is it?”

“For most people, the ‘You got it’ would come after ‘What is it?’ ” but not for Carey, the cardinal said.

After Communion one of Carey’s grandsons, Erich Collins Carey, performed a song, “The Ballad of the Great Hugh Carey.” Five of Carey’s 11 surviving children presented reflections on their father.

“He never turned his back on the underprivileged,” said a daughter. She and her siblings also spoke of Carey’s generosity to his family and his delight in giving them gifts.

The New York City Police Department Emerald Society pipe band played at the beginning and end of the Mass.

Former Gov. George Pataki told CNY after the Mass, “Gov. Carey was a wonderful friend and a great New Yorker. I was very honored to have his guidance and his friendship while I was governor, and to have the friendship of his family. And we’re all going to miss him.”

Also attending was Jimmy Neary, owner of Neary’s restaurant on E. 57th Street.

“He was a great statesman, a great governor,” Neary said. “We’ll have a tough time replacing him. We need a leader like him today.”