By Rebecca Goldfine,Staff Writer

PARIS – Albert “Jim” Carey could be pleased with overseeing the construction of a new jail, a new dispatch center and three expansions at the Oxford County airport during his tenure as county commissioner, but rather he says he is most proud of having helped people.

After being an Oxford County commissioner for 27 years, Carey, 83, announced his retirement Tuesday, bringing an end to a long career of public service. Because of health problems, he will not finish his term, which lasts another year. The governor will appoint someone from Carey’s Republican Party to fill the post.

“I did what I thought was best for everyone concerned, what benefited most people,” he said at his home in Paris on Wednesday, describing a career that includes a 16-year stint as Paris selectman and a six-year job as Harrison town manager.

He has also been a member of Maine Municipal and Tax Collector’s Association, Paris Budget Committee, Paris Fire Department and president of the Paris Chamber of Commerce. In the 1960s, Carey was recognized by Sen. Margaret Chase Smith for his service as Civil Defense director, and for creating an emergency operating center in the county in case of atomic war.

Part of his drive toward civic stewardship comes from a childhood of hardship.

“It really does my heart good to help somebody. Growing up, I could have used some help myself,” he said.

Carey spent his childhood in Mexico, but completed his senior year at high school in Paris after his mother moved here to take a job. His father came in and out of his life without ever staying long, so his mother was left supporting Carey and his sister on $20 a week, Carey said.

He recalled working as a milk delivery boy when he was a teenager, earning 25 cents a week running milk bottles to people’s doorsteps.

“I got a raise to 50 cents, and I thought I was in heaven,” he said. “It kept me in shoes.”

When he moved to Paris, he fell for the people, an affection that has never dissipated. “The kids here were so nice, so different than the kids in a mill town,” where he said people kept more to themselves. “It was a wonderful town, and it has been ever since,” he said.

Rather than attending business college, Carey stayed to take care of his mother, and over the years worked at A.C. Lawrence Tanning Co., the Paris Farmers’ Union, and ran his own grocery store called Carey’s Market for 15 years.

His wife, Frances, who died about 20 years ago, was the first woman to serve as a deputy in Oxford County, Carey said. She took shorthand during investigations, he added.

He has two stepdaughters and one son.

Over the years as commissioner, the budget has jumped from $970,000 to more than $3.6 million, and he has authorized new technology from FM radios in patrol cruisers to the first county computer.

Carey said that as he steps down, he is worried about future sprawl and the loss of farms in the area.

Carole Mahoney, county clerk, said Carey hired her in 1982 and has been helpful translating Maine culture to her. She is from North Carolina.

“He taught me an awful lot about living in Maine,” she said on Wednesday. “Little things like the weather comes from Mt. Washington. He’s been a very good friend.”

Commission Chairman Steve Merrill said, “He is always full of jokes, always good-natured.”

Carey acknowledged he has a knack of handling situations so that people’s tempers and emotions cool off.

He said he misses the job already. “I enjoyed trying to solve the problems. I enjoyed the work.”

His friend Rita St. John, visiting at his home Wednesday, chided him. “That’s behind you. You served your purpose.”

As Carey looked at the various recognitions he has received for public service, which he has in frames over his fireplace, he said, “I’ve had a lot of pluses in my life. I wish there could have been more, but there’s only one of me.”