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144
Thadeus Street
South Portland, ME
04106
James E. Carson
Portland, ME - James E. Carson passed away unexpectedly in a peaceful sleep on December 8, 2010, the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, in Providence, RI, while traveling on Union business. He was 59. Jim was the son of the late Richard Hart Carson and Anne (Gildart) Carson and was raised on Mayland Street in Portland. He attended Deering High School and the University of Southern Maine. Jim and his wife Carolyn celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in November. Together they have been active members at Holy Cross Parish for many years and founded the Marian Prayer Group 18 years ago. He was especially proud and happy that his only
daughter Angelique had grown strong and found such a wonderful
job so soon after college, that his son Eric had become such a
gifted professional writer and that his Jim dedicated his professional life to improving and protecting the rights of Maine workers. He reveled in working on policy and law on behalf of the labor union. He had an appetite for politics at both the state and local level and spent much of his time lobbying for Maines workers at the capitol building in Augusta. He was always at his best when he was standing up for someone else, and thats what he did over his long and proud career as a member of the Teamsters Union Local No. 340. Jim believed deeply in the Teamsters mission. He began his career at UPS sorting packages part-time in 1973 at the age of 19, then spent the next 40 years working his way up the ranks as a business agent, trustee, vice president, secretary treasurer and ultimately president, a position he held for 10 years until his death. He served as president of the Teamsters Union Joint Council No. 10, president of the Maine Fair Trade Campaign and as an elected official of the AFL-CIO Executive Board. Jim is survived by his wife, Carolyn Mae, of South Portland; a daughter, Angelique Marie of Portsmouth, NH; two sons, Michael and his wife Erin, of Medford, MA, and Eric of Portland. Two sisters, Karen Norcross and husband, John, Laraine Derrig of Cumberland; a brother, Richard Carson and wife Lisa, of Portland; two grandchildren, Lily and Bridget and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 17, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel. Mass of Christian burial Saturday 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, corner of Broadway and Cottage Road. Interment at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Online condolences may be sent to www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Holy Cross Parish School, 436 Broadway, South Portland, Maine, 04106, and/or the American Heart Association, 51 US Rt. 1, Suite M, Scarborough, Maine, 04074.
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December 9, 2010 It is with heavy hearts we are sending this notice to advise you of the passing of our President James E. Carson. Jim passed away in his sleep on December 8, 2010, at age 59. His passing is a tremendous loss for our Local, the Teamsters Union and many other organizations he was involved with. Jim has been a pillar of his community, a devoted family man and a warrior for the working men and women of the state of Maine. Jim leaves behind his wife Carolyn, their three children and two grandchildren. Guest Book If you would like to leave a condolance on this page please email Peggy at Peggy@teamsterslocal340.org Jim Carson Carolyn, wife of 40 years, sons Michael, Eric, daughter Angelique: daughter –in-law Erin and granddaughters Lily and Bridget. The heart and soul of this Holy Cross Parish community goes out to you, as do so many others touched by your father’s wonderful life, and also touched by all of you as a wonderful, caring and faithful family. Every death leaves loved ones with an emptiness, a void, a heart wounded that seems unable to heal, a grief that seems inconsolable. That is especially true with Jim’s sudden death—leaving the family in shock. A sudden death brings unfinished business to family and friends and can become an unspeakable burden. When someone dies so young and so suddenly, survivors can be tormented with words left unsaid, phone calls not made, messages not returned, favors not reciprocated, hurts not forgiven. And this unfinished business can wear down one’s soul with guilt and anguish. The reality is that every death at any age always leaves this unfinished business, but the sudden death of a husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, friend only intensifies this. This can only be acknowledged and placed into the hands of a loving and healing God. Jim Carson was all these relationships to many people, and he poured himself out in all these relationships. That means for all of you who knew Jim’s love for you, there is now a deep wound, an emptiness that can cry out in inconsolable grief, disbelief and even anger. All these emotions are welcomed in this Holy Cross Church, this house of God. We are welcomed here for all that we are and for all the burdens we carry. The peace of the Lord Jesus is real for those areas that wound us when a loved one dies. The healing love of God can reach the deepest crevices of our wounds, wounds so deep and gaping that no human power can touch them. This same God touches those wounds, consoling them with the gift of peace. God is not repelled when our faith wavers, or when our grief brings us to anger and doubt. It is those times that Jesus draws closer to us. We do not have to bear burdens these burdens alone. Jesus bears our burdens with us and for us. The parable of the Workers in the Vineyard is not a Gospel passage usually chosen for a Mass of Christian Burial. But this Gospel passage is especially poignant for a Mass of Christian Burial for Jim Carson. All parables reveal the Kingdom of God in our midst. Hidden from physical sight, but known with the eyes of faith, the Kingdom of God will one day be fully established in our midst. This parable is first and foremost about God’s mercy. No one enters the Kingdom without mercy, and God passionately desires that we all enter into the eternal life the Kingdom offers us. God pours out mercy over all humanity, and everyone must make their own choice to acknowledge their need for mercy, and to open their heart for mercy to flow in. The parable tells us that those who receive mercy early in their life or those who receive mercy with their last dying breath, all receive the same gift from a generous and loving God. Laborers working in the Lord’s vineyard for many a year are called to rejoice when someone embraces the Gospel, even if it is with their dying breath. We are to be grateful and not resentful of God’s mercy. We all need the power of mercy to receive God’s greatest gift. And the gift is eternal life. Faith opens our eyes to the Kingdom of God present among us in our daily life. Secondly, the parable is about justice. Although the workers who started early in the day complain because the workers who started late in the day receive the same wage, the story should point to the owner’s generosity. He pays them all “the daily wage”. The owner knows that if workers do not get the “daily wage”, their families go hungry and remain in great need. So he pays all his workers what they need to provide for their families, regardless of when they began working. In both of these meanings of this parable, Jim Carson’s life becomes loud and clear. Jim was a man of deep faith, and a man of passionate justice. Jim was a man of justice because he was a man of faith. The two went hand in hand for Jim Carson his entire life. The Book of Wisdom tells us “The souls of the just are in the hand of God. Those who trust in God understand truth. ” Jim’s soul was in God’s hands every day of his life, because he was a man that was just and a man filled with faith and love. Jim understood that wisdom differed from intelligence. In his own words, Jim wrote, “I’m not even interested in my own opinion if I can’t prove to myself that it comports to the truth. That’s why I remain silent on so many things. Who cares what I think? What I think is meaningless. What matters is only what is true.” Today, those opposing workers’ rights and safety portray union officials stereotypically as thugs and brutes, known for muscle and corruption. These false stereotypes are perpetuated to negate any union influence in the wider society. In contrast, Jim Carson was the real typical union leader simply by the way he lived his life and work. St. Paul sums up the virtues called for from every Christian in the second reading from his letter to the Romans. They describe Jim most perfectly, “Anticipate each other in showing honor; be fervent in spirit, endure in affliction, contribute to the needs of the holy ones, bless those who persecute you, have the same regard for one another, associate with those who are lowly, be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all and if possible, live at peace with all.” Those are the words that Jim Carson founded his life upon. Jim was strong in his faith, compassionate with those in need, passionate for the rights of others, defender of those left on the sidelines, and promoter of what is right and good. But Jim was not alone in living these virtues. These are the words that describe many a labor leader and defender of workers’ rights today. If some believe labors unions are passé and obsolete, Jim Carson believed that labor unions were timely and essential. And Jim was in good company. Only last year, Pope Benedict XVI said in his latest teaching on social justice, “In many cases, poverty results from a violation of the dignity of human work, either because work opportunities are limited (through unemployment or underemployment), or because a low value is put on work and the rights that flow from it, especially the right to a just wage and to the personal security of the worker and his or her family. What is meant by the word “decent” in regard to work? It means work that expresses the essential dignity of every man and woman in the context of their particular society: work that is freely chosen, work that enables the worker to be respected and free from any form of discrimination; work that makes it possible for families to meet their needs and provide schooling for their children; work that permits the workers to organize themselves freely, and to make their voices heard; work that leaves enough room for rediscovering one's roots at a personal, familial and spiritual level; work that guarantees those who have retired a decent standard of living. While reflecting on the theme of work, it is appropriate to recall how important it is that labour unions — which have always been encouraged and supported by the Church — should be open to the new perspectives that are emerging in the world of work.” No more needs to be said of the reality that Jim’s faith, Jim’s work, and Jim’s entire life were reflections of his great love affair with God, and his immersion in the life of the Church saturated with the very Holy Spirit of God. Speaking
of Jim’s great love affair with God, we need to
discuss his great love affair with Carolyn, his wife of 40 years,
his sons Michael and Eric, his daughter Angelique, his daughter
in law Erin and granddaughters Lily and Bridget. They were the
great recipients of Jim’s powerful love affair with God.
Jim loved his family with great abundance, great pride, and personal
gratitude for that you are. And yet in Jim’s own words again, he could never love enough. “I hold out no hope for mankind this side of the divide, but I am filled with hope and trust in the Lord of the universe who came for us and allowed us to crucify HIM. If He did it again, we would do it again. There are no bad guys in the world, there is only sin, and sin destroys. If only I can shake off its destructive influence on me, only then can I love my brother.” I close with these words of Jim, as though he was writing his own eulogy. “I’ve prayed for the wisdom of Solomon but I’m afraid I’m stuck with the poverty of Jim Carson. Don’t give up on me though. I am still a work in progress and Jesus is not done with me. Without the confessional, I’m afraid I would already be on fire…I think of how short this life really is and how disgusting, and think of how long eternity is and how glorious. I long to cast off this body of sin and death and let my spirit soar to the Kingdom of LOVE. St. Paul said, ‘There are three things that last, Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is Love.’ I can only say amen.” Jim, if you were stuck with the poverty that is you, it may be because you enriched all of us so abundantly, generously. In the image of Our Savior, you poured out your life in all you did. You taught us what a man of faith is, and how a man of faith lives life with a foundation of faith, a heart of love, a vision of justice, and a soaring hope that comes from God. May Jim’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with
the family of Jim Carson. He was a First off, on behalf of everyone here at York Police Department, our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at Teamsters Local 340 , not to mention Mr. Carson's family and friends. It is a terrible tragedy and so hard to cope with when it comes so suddenly and at such an early age. If there is anything we can do for you, please don't hesitate to let us know. Until then we will be thinking of you all. Although I never met Mr. Carson I've heard numerous stories through the years of how he was a great President, but more important a caring person. I've read about all the contributions he has made not only to his union members, but to numerous organizations throughout the area in need. I'm sure he will be remembered for that, along with being a solid leader. Hang in there! -Brian I’m very sorry to hear such
sad and shocking news about Jim, he was too young! My sincerest
condolences!! My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his
colleagues! Thank you for letting me know. I
do recall Mr. Carson and his passionate support of his members.
I am sure he will be missed by his colleagues.
Keith Biddle
You just must be in shock over the loss of Jim. I always liked Jim and the way he conducted meetings. He was very mellow and made people feel comfortable. I know a little of what the local must be going through, as it only seems like yesterday that we lost Bob Gibbons. The last time I saw Jim was at the meeting at Somerset County in September. We had a laugh afterwards. Catherine (NNEBT) I want to extend my condolences to you and all of Local 340. I was stunned to hear the news about Jim and his passing is a great loss for all of us. Jim always held management’s feet to the fire, but he was a man of his word and a true professional. He will be missed. Pat
With Sympathy I am absolutely stunned! I have known
Jim from almost the time I first arrived in Maine. What a great
guy and what a loss for all of us.
All of us here were shocked and saddened
about Jim's passing. MAINE STATE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
TRADES COUNCIL EXPRESSES SORROW AT THE PASSING OF MAINE TEAMSTERS
LEADER JAMES CARSON
- Brian McGovern NALC 92 Vice President I was shocked this morning to learn of Jim’s passing and wanted to express my sincere condolences to his brothers and sisters at Local 340. Not only was Jim a tireless advocate for all workers, he was a kind soul that jumped at the opportunity to help those less knowledgeable about critical issues to the labor community learn. We had several great discussions about politics, politicians, worker rights, the world and faith. I will forever cherish some of our more spirited discussions and be grateful that Jim was one of the few that had a real appreciation for my sarcastic wit and had the ability to dish it right back at me! The labor community has truly lost one of our family, but the lessons and knowledge he so willingly shared, and the imprints that he has left on the heart of those of us in the labor family will be his legacy. I believe there is no greater reward than to know that you made a difference in your short time here, and Jim certainly achieved that goal many times over. In solidarity, Penny Gene Gravelle Dear MFTC Coalition Partners and allies, It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I write to tell you that brother Jim Carson passed away of a heart attack while sleeping Wednesday morning. President of the Teamsters Local 340 and long time MFTC leader and board President, he was a fixture for many of us within Maine labor. Jim was active in MFTC since its founding. He was deeply committed to working people and his members and unequivocally rallied for trade justice. Jim was one of our greatest advocates during the legislative fight to pass the Informed Growth Act. He reveled in lobbying and negotiating! Jim would love to slide in at the end of a public hearing and without notes or written testimony lay out a moral argument, slick and unforgiving. He would often smile and give a smirk out of the corner of his eye. He loved winning. It is still such a shock to all of us. I know all of us in the MFTC family will sorely miss Jim's presence, his commitment, and his humor. I am immensely grateful for all he has done for us over the years. My heart goes out to his family, the members and staff of Local 340, and all of you who have worked with and love Jim. We will be sure to share details around funeral arrangements as they develop. With great sadness and appreciation, Daphne I always looked forward to seeing
Jim on the many occasions I frequented Local 340's "Community
Union Hall". Brothers and Sisters, Chris Teret |
