Michael James Carver

Michael James Carver
February 23, 1961 – October 9, 2024
Michael (Mike) Carver, aged 63, died Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at his home in Lisbon, NH with family by his side and following a courageous battle with prostate and bone cancer. Mike was born February 23, 1961 to James and Ann (Kenneally) Carver in Weymouth, MA and was the oldest of six children. He is a graduate of Whitman-Hanson High School, attended Cape Cod Community College and North Adams State College, and is a 2002 graduate of Mendenhall School of Auctioneering Resident Training in High Point, NC.

In 1988, Mike married his soulmate, Janine (Betourney), who was his partner in life, love, and business for 36 years. While they had no children, they were blessed with many cherished feline furbabies, which they adored.

Mike was an entreprenuer at heart and self-employed for a majority of his adult life. Since 2002, Mike was an auctioneer, appraiser, and owner of Ammonoosuc River Auction Company in Lisbon. Prior businesses include Ammonoosuc River Trading Company, Dr. Carver’s Furniture Restoration Shop, and Carriage House Antiques. He also served as Selectman for the Town of Lisbon.

Mike's respect for antiques began in 1979, just out of high school, when he worked as an apprentice to both an auctioneer and a master upholsterer near Boston. In 1988, he and Jan moved to Littleton, NH where Mike began repairing, restoring, and selling antique furniture, earning a reputation as Dr. Carver, “The Furniture Doctor”. In 1996, Mike and Jan purchased their “dream home”, a 1781 house with barns along the Ammonoosuc River in Lisbon, and they quickly renovated its large barn for commercial use. In 1998, they opened Ammonoosuc River Trading Company & Marketplace, selling antique and reproduction furniture, collectibles, and decorative accessories. Mike became an auctioneer and started Ammonoosuc River Auction Company, conducting auctions at various venues in the area. In 2006, the retail store closed to allow Mike to dedicate his talents (and barn) to auction and appraisal services. Mike was enthusiastic about everything. He loved his family, friends, businesses, customers, and talking to anyone about anything. He also loved his McDonalds “Coffee Club” crew, who he joined most weekdays (pre-COVID) for very many years to enjoy breakfast, gossip, laughs, and friendship. For the past year, while struggling with increasing pain, he also found a way to stay enthusiastic about life, touching all his friends and family with his positivity and strength. Mike is predeceased by his parents, James and Ann Carver, and infant brother, James Patrick Carver.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Jan, brothers Thomas (Mary) of Melbourne, FL, John of Sandwich, MA, and William of St. Augustine, FL, sister Catherine (Scott) Boudreau of Plymouth, MA, nephews/niece Sean, Timothy, Ethan, Brandon, Aydan, and Madeline, and his Kenneally and Ludwig cousins. He is also survived by his cats, Peanut and Buttercup.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024, 10:00AM-12:00PM, with a Celebration of Life at 11:00AM with Reverend Lyn Winter, at Ross Funeral Home, 282 West Main Street, Littleton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North Country Home Health and Hospice 536 Cottage Street, Littleton, NH  03561 or Second Chance Animal Rescue, 1517 Meadow Street, Littleton, NH  03561

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