By Fiona McCafferty
May 15, 2025
A sketch of Mr. Carney by DHS art teacher Amy Vega.
The Dedham community continues to mourn the loss of Mark Carney, who passed away on April 7th. Known for his dedication and generosity, Carney leaves a legacy that will endure for many years.
A native of Dedham, Carney joined the DHS staff in 1994 after graduating from Temple University. His Dedham pride was evident, as he loved working for the town he grew up in.
He first worked as an athletic trainer and a health and physical education teacher before becoming the Director of Health for Wellness and Physical Education for DPS. However, supporting his students always remained a priority.
“We talked about how he missed being in the classroom and getting to know the students even better," recalls Jay McGuire, a colleague and friend of Carney for over 15 years.
“He would attend the school plays, athletic events, support fundraisers...the list goes on,” remembers wellness colleague Jennifer Currivan.
Whether building equipment from scratch or inventing new versions of PE games, Carney always brought innovation and joy to the DHS gymnasium.
One of his most significant contributions to DPS is the mental health awareness lessons he designed for the wellness curriculum long before the subject was widely recognized. Those lessons are still being taught in DHS classrooms today.
In 2010, Carney grew his hair to shoulder length, not for fashion purposes but to donate his hair to Locks of Love, a program that creates wigs for people battling illness. The school came together for an assembly in the gym to witness the iconic haircut, a moment that captures the generosity and love that was Carney.
Additionally, the staff fondly remembers the plethora of homemade quiches, including every imaginable combination and gluten-free ones that Carney would bring to staff breakfasts.
The commitment he made to this community will be greatly missed.
“I miss Mark greatly--both personally and professionally,” said McGuire.
“He cared for every single one of his students and made sure they were put in positions to be successful,” said wellness colleague Erica McElory.
Mr. Carney's spirit, humor, and compassion will live on in the halls of DHS and the hearts of all who knew him.
meet the writer!
meet the writer!
Fiona McCafferty, class of 2025, is a Managing Editor for the Dedham Mirror. She is also a captain of the field hockey and swim teams. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, running, and traveling with her friends and family. Next year, she will be attending the University of Maryland.
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