| Graduation Year | Class of 2000 |
| Date of Passing | Apr 13, 2007 |
| About | Officer Raheem Ali Carter, 25, of 40 Midway Oval, Groton, passed away Friday morning, April 13, 2007, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born an identical twin in Wilmington, Del., on Nov. 23, 1981, the son of Sheila Perry of Groton and Michael A. Carter of Dover, Del. After surviving a premature birth to a young Sheila and Michael, while Sheila attended Delaware State University, Raheem was raised by his mother in Poquonnock Bridge where his family has lived for more than 50 years. He was proud of where he lived and the people he grew up with. From little league to Babe Ruth, from basketball to football, Raheem always excelled in sports, a true leader by nature. His athletic ability and kind words always lead him to the top of everything he participated in. The 2000 graduate of Robert E. Fitch Senior High School was a three year starter at quarterback leading his team to a 1999 state championship, breaking the all-time ECC career touchdown passing record. He was also the captain of both the football and track team, a leadership role that had left him the admiration of everyone he touched. His exemplar character continued at Central Connecticut State University, where he started at quarterback as a true freshman. He later transferred to the University of Rhode Island, earning a full scholarship along side his brother. Raheem, the older twin by two minutes, kept Rashaad under his wing, caring for him and introducing him to the hundreds of friends made throughout his years at the university. After receiving a bachelor of arts degree in sociology in 2005, he continued on with his child-hood dream by entering a career in law enforcement. In the summer of 2005, Raheem was sworn into the City of New London Police Department. He loved being a police officer and was inspired daily by his mentor, Lieutenant Margaret Ackley. He shared a strong belief in God with the lieutenant and, as Raheem carried his twin and many close friends under his watch, the lieutenant watched over Raheem. Being a police officer meant a great deal to him, and he always wore the uniform proudly. Besides Raheem's many honors and accolades in sports and academics, he was recently presented with a Citation of Excellence. State Representative Ernest Hewett came to Raheem's home and personally awarded him the Citation of Excellence as a police officer, shortly before he left for the hospital. The citation epitomized what Raheem's life stood for; compassion, courage, and strong will. Despite his illness, Raheem rose to the recognition and received his award with honor. Raheem in his 25 years showed a community what hard work could do. He also gave friends, family, and strangers who had gone astray, inspiration. He gave to others and only hoped that people could see what peace and love could bring to one another. He promoted his beliefs to our youth and always showed love and respect to authority figures. He only asked that those authority figures pass the message on to our youth. He was a loyal and faithful member of the New Life Church in Ledyard. His faith ran deep and helped him through his 25 years of life, particularly during his recent battle with cancer. Raheem touched many lives with his leadership, passion, and strong faith and will be sorely missed by family members and friends. Besides his parents and brother Rashaad, Raheem was survived by a sister, Sheleena Perry of Groton, a brother, Elijah Word of Wilmington, Del.; his paternal grandmother, Mary N. Carter of Dover, Del., his aunts, Donna Perry and her son, Robert Perry-Crawford, of Groton, Barbara Horton, Diane Wilson, Jackie Watkins, Deborah Wilson, and Belinda Lewis, all of Delaware; uncles, Elbert Perry and son, Benjamin Perry, of Groton, Isaac Carter Jr., and Gary Carter, also all of Delaware; 30 first cousins in Delaware; and his stepfather, Jesse McClellan and goddaughter, Gracie Burns, both of Groton. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Elbert and Bessie Perry and his paternal grandfather, Isaac Carter Sr. "They say it is everywhere except my heart...but the heart is the strongest part of the body. As long as my heart is beating, we will fight this to the end." A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. John's Christian Church, 346 Shennecosset Road, Groton. Visiting hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the family's church, New Life Church, 1729 Center Groton Road, Ledyard. Interment will be held in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic. Donations in his memory may be made to the Raheem Ali Carter Student Memorial Fund, for student athletes portraying the same character as Raheem. Donations will be accepted at Robert E. Fitch Sr. High School, 101 Groton Long Point Road, Groton CT 06340. Following the interment, a reception will be held at the Port and Starboard Room, Ocean Beach Park, New London. Please visit www.byles.com for an online obituary, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family. The family would like to thank every one for their prayers and kind thoughts during Raheem's battle. |
