LOCAL

Summit Health executive who just celebrated 35 years at company dies unexpectedly on I-81

Amber South
Chambersburg Public Opinion

A Summit Health executive - and lifelong musician and dedicated family man - died unexpectedly while driving on Interstate 81 Friday evening. 

Jeff Carty, 55, of Chambersburg was found dead of natural causes after authorities responded to a one-vehicle crash at about 8:30 p.m. on the highway in Guilford Township. Police determined the southbound vehicle had crossed the median and both northbound lanes before crashing into the guard rail in the area of mile marker 15. 

He leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Laurie E. Truett Carty, and two children, Ryan Matthew Carty and Jenna Nicole Carty, his obituary states. 

Jeffrey Carty

Carty, the vice president of finance at Summit Health, had just been honored a week prior for working 35 years at the health care organization, Summit Health said in a statement. Instead of attending the banquet, he "selflessly decided" to travel to Kentucky where his daughter's college softball team was set to play in an NCAA tournament, the first in the program's history, Summit said. 

“We lost an incredible man,” said Pat O’Donnell, President and CEO of Summit Health, which is now part of WellSpan Health. “Not only was Jeff a respected and integral part of our leadership team, he was more importantly a friend. He was kind and genuine towards every person he worked with, and treated every situation he faced with care and respect.”

More:Summit positions itself for the future as expenses keep rising

More:Summit Health now part of regional health care system

Kimberly Rzomp, chief financial officer added: "He was the calm in the face of pressures, an extraordinary wealth of information, and excellent judge of events and financial situation, and the person many of us sought out for advice and counsel. He will be sorely missed every day.”

Carty also served on the board of Waynesboro's Medic 2, his obituary states. 

Carty paired hard work with a number of hobbies, according to his obituary. He was a drummer, performing in rock bands, the high school band and drum corps as a teen and young adult, and continuing in instructor roles as an adult. He most recently served as instructor for the Waynesboro Area Senior High School percussion ensemble. 

He also had a passion for taking care of his home and flower beds, and showed them with pride while entertaining. 

His family was "his biggest pride and joy in life," according to his obituary. He, his wife and their kids spent many days doing activities together. 

Carty was born Nov. 11, 1963, the son of Shirley Willhide Carty and the late Donald Carty.

He graduated from Waynesboro Area Senior High School in 1981, and earned an associate's degree in business and accounting form Penn State University in 1983. 

Carty's funeral will take place at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg. Rev. Ronald Cook will officiate. He will be buried at Parklawns Memorial Gardens.

More:Super-rare genetic disorder traps boy in baby-like body. Will trial surgery help?

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to the service Wednesday. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Waynesboro Indoor Percussion Ensemble c/o Waynesboro Area School Band Auxiliary, 550 East Second St. Waynesboro PA 17268. Condolences and memories may be shared on his Book of Memories page at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.