The Rev. John Carey, O.F.M. Cap., 88, died Monday in Saxonburg.

Father John was born to Joseph and Sarah Furlong Carey in Providence, R.I. At his baptism, he was given the name Charles. He attended Assumption Parish Elementary School in Providence. In 1943, he enrolled in Columbian Prep School in Silver Creek, N.Y.

In addition to his parents, Father John was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert, Joseph and John; and his sister, Mary Champagne.

He is survived by his brother, Raymond, and Raymond's wife, Maureen; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Upon entering the Capuchin Order of the British Custody of New England, he was given the name John. He made his temporary vows Jan. 29, 1947, and subsequently attended St. Lawrence Seminary College in Milton, Mass., graduating in 1950. When the Custody of New England was incorporated into the New York/New England Province, he was sent to Capuchin College in Washington, D.C., for theological studies and eventually joined the Capuchin Province of St. Augustine. He was ordained to the priesthood June 6, 1953.

Father John's first assignment was at St. Charles Church in St. Louis, Mo. One year later, he volunteered for missionary work in Puerto Rico. He was stationed at Santa Cruz in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, where he remained for the next six years.

In 1961, Father John began a long career as chaplain in the U.S. Army. Beginning with his first military assignment at Fort Slocum, N.Y., he would minister in 15 different military posts over the course of the next 20 years. Before serving in the Vietnam War, he saw service in New York, Oklahoma, Kentucky, South Carolina, Panama and Hawaii.

In 1967 he was sent to Vietnam. Father John was on the front lines with his comrades. He was in the thick of numerous gunbattles and ministered to soldiers who had fallen near him. Father John was a battlefield chaplain in a bitterly-fought war.

He completed his Vietnam posting in 1968 and was transferred to Fort Rucker, Ala. Subsequent assignments included Fort Hamilton, N.Y.; Bad Kreuznach, Germany; Fort Sill, Okla.; Okinawa, Japan; Monterey, Calif.; Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico; and, finally, Fort Bragg, N.C. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1982.

Father John began his military service as a lieutenant. In 1962 he was promoted to captain, in 1967 to major, in 1973 to lieutenant colonel and, finally, in 1980 to colonel, the rank at which he retired from the U.S. Army.

Father John returned to the mission in Puerto Rico for the next two years to assist as pastoral needs required.

Subsequently, Father John was assigned to St. Joseph Parish in York, Pa., for two years; for the next two years at St. Cecilia Parish in Rochester, Pa.; for three years at St. Mary Parish in Export, Pa.; for three years at St. Clare Parish in Clairton, Pa.; and, finally, at St. Mary Parish in Herman.

In 2011 Father John was admitted to Saxony Health Care Nursing Home in Saxonburg, where he remained until his death.

Father John was immensely proud of his military service and was deeply affected by his experiences in Vietnam. He possessed a quick wit and is fondly remembered for his sense of humor.

CAREY — Visitation and viewing for the Rev. John Carey, O.F.M. Cap., who died Monday, April 3, 2017, will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Martin Funeral Home, 429 Center Ave., Butler. A prayer service will follow at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Herman. Burial will follow immediately in the friars' plot of St. Mary Cemetery.Donations in honor of Father John Carey may be made to the Capuchin Friars, 220 37th Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201.For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.