Beloved husband & father Lionel Carrier, 85, was called home to Jesus on May 11, 2020. Most recently he lived in Robbinsville NJ, and was previously a longtime NJ resident of Allentown and South Plainfield.  Lionel was born February 5, 1935, in Auburn, Maine as one of ten children to Joseph & Josephine (Landry) Carrier.  He later resided in Bar Harbor, ME for a few years before relocating with his young family to South Plainfield. He served in the US Army as a Sergeant, Medic, and Paratrooper during the Korean War, stationed primarily in Germany. After graduating from the University of Maine with a BA in Education & Foreign Languages, he traveled to France for advanced language studies and received his Master's degree. For 30 years he taught French at Plainfield High School in NJ, where he was also the head of the Foreign Language department. As a lifelong, devout Catholic, member of the Knights of Columbus, and in recent years a parishioner of St. John's Church in Allentown, his faith was central to his life.

His wife of 60 years, Jeannine, survives him as well as four children, including: daughter Denise & husband Dean Ratti of NJ, son Donald & wife Diane of PA, son Richard & wife Lia of NJ, and son Thomas & wife Muriel of FL. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren:  Michael, Christopher, Nicholas, Emily, Amanda, Matthew, Karl, and brother-in-law Maurice "Bill" Lavoie, as well as many nieces & nephews. His grandchildren dearly loved their "pop-pop", as did the entire family.  Lionel will be greatly missed by all who knew him. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings:  brothers Bertrand and Rev. Lucien, Camille & wife Yvette, Albert & wife Lucille, sisters Laurette, Jacqueline Lavoie, Rita & husband Camille Ouellette, Muriel & Felix Lacasse, Lorraine & Arthur Lacasse; and granddaughter Marie Jeannine.

As an athletics & physical fitness enthusiast, he participated in many sports, including ice skating, downhill & cross country skiing with family, swimming, gym workouts, bowling, baseball, bicycling, and running.  He always embraced the opportunity to try new activities, including Bocce, where he "medaled" in his local Senior Olympics.  He especially loved playing baseball with his kids and taking them to Yankee & Shea stadiums, which sparked their interest in sports at an early age.  In addition to MLB, he was also an avid fan of several other sports, including the NFL (NY Giants & Jets) and particularly the NHL (NJ Devils, NY Rangers, & Montreal Canadiens).  He loved attending NJ Devils games with family at the Meadowlands, where he loudly cheered on his home team to victory during many Stanley Cup playoff games. Travel was another favorite pastime, as he spent many happy vacations with family in Maine, Quebec, Fort Myers FL, Poconos PA, Houston TX, and various other locations near and far. Lionel will always be remembered for his faith, love of family, solid traditional values, commitment to a strong work ethic, and a passion for sports, opera/classical/country music, comedy, and family picnics, especially in Maine and at the Jersey shore. He was an avid gardener and truly loved his homegrown Jersey tomatoes.

A celebration of his life including a Catholic Funeral Mass, and burial at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, will be held in the future. Thank you to Fr Charles Flood for administering the Sacrament of the Sick and to the amazing COVID-19 team at RWJ Hospital Hamilton.