Dr. Timothy Dewitt Carnes, Sr.
Timothy DeWitt Carnes (79) passed peacefully this week with family at his side. Tim was born February 3, 1943 in Washington D.C. to Preston Ira Carnes, Sr. and Ellen Bruyn Carnes. He grew up in Fairfield Connecticut, the youngest of three children. Tim enjoyed his time at Kent School and Yale University, where he graduated in 1965. He attended medical school at Tufts University, graduating with his Doctorate in Medicine in 1969. It was here that he not only developed his medical acumen but also expanded his culinary skills while trying to out-do his roommates with gourmet meals. He was famous for his made-from-scratch marinades and rubs, sushi rolls, and for making the perfect beef tenderloin. His family could always be certain that Christmas was marked by a delicious meal, its centerpiece this filet of beef, large enough to feed 20 in order to ensure there were leftovers for days! This passion for cooking continued throughout his life and nearly led to fame and fortune when he submitted a recipe for “Stuffed Muscovy Duck Breast with Wild Maine Blueberry Port Wine Sauce” to Fine Cooking magazine. He did not win first prize, but his friends and family continued to benefit from his ongoing quest for culinary excellence.Tim had a gift as a kind, welcoming, and gentle presence while being a brilliant internist. He completed his residency in Internal medicine at Maine Medical Center in Portland, Maine, and was one of the earliest partners at InterMed, where he cared for adults both in the hospital and in the office. It is not unusual to run into someone who was cared for by Tim and continues to speak highly of him.
He met the love of his life, Charlotte, in Portland Maine. She was also completing her medical residency at Maine Medical Center. They married in 1970, and after living briefly in Cumberland, moved to Yarmouth where they found their dream home and started their “homesteading”. Although busy with medicine, Tim loved raising sheep and chickens, and helping Charlotte with her garden. He was adept at finding ways to protect the animals and the garden from the critters, especially foxes and woodchucks who were always on the prowl.
When not caring for his patients or tending to the animals, Tim loved playing squash and golf. Even after he hung up his racquet and retired his clubs, he was an avid follower of the PGA, and a huge fan of all New England sports teams. He closely followed the Red Sox, Bruins, and Patriots – not surprising after having spent many years coaching little league. The teams often gathered to play in the sheep pasture, which doubled as a baseball diamond in the spring and was flooded to create an ice rink in the winter! Over the years, his passion for all things sports along with his love for his grandchildren became a powerful combination, and he loved to go watch them. He could be found on the sidelines at many events: soccer, hockey, swimming, baseball and lacrosse. He will always be one of their biggest fans.
Tim was a passionate believer in the powerful experiences that summer camp could provide, and spent many years at Camp Monadnock in New Hampshire both as a camper and a counselor. Those years were as important to him as any he spent, and led to some of his most treasured friendships, as well as instilling in his children and grandchildren the value of the summer camp experience through his stories. He was a constant source of encouragement for them to find their own adventures in the outdoors. Tim knew the value of vacation and family time, and one of his favorite places was the cottage in Nantucket which he shared with his brother and sister and their families. For many years, his summers included weeks spent surf casting, swimming, and driving out to Great Point with friends and family. His children and grandchildren are fortunate to be able to carry on this tradition. He and Charlotte also devoted many days and nights to Chebeague Island, where he and his family spent summer nights camping on their land before eventually building a home there. Tim and Charlotte were active members of the Falmouth Foreside Congregational Community Church for many years where Tim sang weekly in the choir. He was known for his “Steeple People” fundraising performance for years! He loved singing and performing and spent many hours laughing with his children while helping with speeches and performances for school. In his later years, he joined the First Parish Congregational Church in Yarmouth which was a source of support for both Tim and Charlotte. In the final year and a half of his life, he was blessed to have loving support from the care partners at the Mooring on Foreside.
Tim is survived by his wife of 51 years, Charlotte Cummings Carnes, his son Timothy DeWitt Carnes Jr., wife Sandy and children Sadie and Colby of Yarmouth; daughter Jennifer Carnes Wright, husband Patrick and children Lily and Sawyer of Woolwich. Tim is also survived by brother Peter Carnes and wife Debbie of Darien, CT and sister Susan Reeder and her husband Dusty of Weston, MA
A memorial service for Timothy will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 11:00 AM at First Parish Congregational Church, 116 Main St, Yarmouth, Maine 04096.