Obituary of Paul F. Carter, our loving father – written by daughter Emma K. Carter on June 4, 2024

Paul Francis Carter, 78, of New Bedford, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2024, at St. Luke's Hospital following a brief illness. Born in New Bedford on April 12, 1946, to the late William J. Carter and Winifred T. (Francis) Carter, Paul lived a life rich with music, literature, and deep familial love.

A graduate of Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Paul earned his baccalaureate degree in English, a testament to his love for language and literature. Yet, it was his passion for music, especially Irish and Celtic genres, that truly defined his life. A talented musician, Paul was known for playing his unique instrument called the "alsaxe", masterfully crafted just for him by his friend Alex Elliot, which combined the tones of the guitar and the mandolin into one melodious instrument with an incomparable sound. While he could play the alsaxe like no other (quite literally), his musical talents also included the mandolin, guitar, and autoharp, among others. His music brought joy to many and left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who heard him play.

Paul's travels took him across the United States and to other parts of the world, enriching his life with diverse experiences and people. Despite his adventures, he always cherished his time at home with his family. He is survived by his four children, Benjamin Carter and his wife, Amanda, of Rochester; Elizabeth Carter and her husband, Brandon, of Acushnet; Emma Carter and her fiancé, Tom, of Toronto; Melissa Mahoney and her husband, John, of Marblehead; and his eight grandchildren who adored him and whom he adored in return. Paul is also survived by two brothers, William "Skip" Carter of New Bedford, and Stephen Carter and his wife, Kathleen, of South Dartmouth; two sisters, Karen Halloran of New Bedford, and Janice Hollis and her husband, Dudley, of Bermuda; and many nieces, nephews, and good friends. He was predeceased by his sisters, Christine (Carter) Mello and Kelly Carter.

Paul's legacy is one of love, music, unparalleled wit, and the unyielding bonds of family and friendship. His presence will be deeply missed, but his spirit and his music will continue to resonate in the lives of all who knew him.

A celebration of Paul's life will be held on Monday, June 10, at his daughter's establishment, Ansel's Café, located at 403 County Rd. in Marion, where family and friends will gather to honor the memory of a man dearly loved and fondly remembered. Guests are welcome to begin arriving at 4 PM, but the celebration will continue until those who are able to celebrate have had the opportunity to do so. As Paul loved to surround himself with fellow musicians and great friends, all instruments and photo memories are welcomed and encouraged to be played and shared at the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation be made in Paul's memory to MusiCares, an organization that helps the health and wellbeing of the humans behind the music. MusiCares Development, 3030 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404 (or musicares.org).