Geoff Carreiro – Teacher

By Geisel

When local Forest Service staff member Geoff Carreiro passed away in late December, many in town who thought of him may have known him only during his later years as an OHV/OSV patroller. His sister, Moira, filled in much about his early years, up through his years in the Navy, of which he was very proud, and for which he was decorated.
Many locals may be surprised, however, to learn that upon moving here, Carreiro spent some time as a teacher. One long-time local, appraiser Matthew Lehman, took a few minutes to share some recollections of Carreiro’s tenure as an educator, when the school was located in Hot Creek near the hatchery.
“I remember him as a teacher from as far back as 2nd grade. His family lived behind me here in Mammoth when I grew up,” Lehman said.
“A lot of guys remember him as a ski coach. I remember him as a teacher’s aide. He was great interacting with the kids. We’d play dodgeball — and you wouldn’t see this nowadays — and he’d really throw the ball hard. It was always fun when he played. The girls liked him a lot, too.”
Lehman wasn’t on the ski team, but many of his friends were and admired him as a ski coach.
“I’d run into him and say hi when I was snowmobiliing during the last 10 years. We’d have lunch every once in a while,” Lehman said.
Reading about Carreiro’s two tours of Vietnam was bittersweet for Lehman. “I was in the Naval Academy myself and when I found out he was in the Navy, that touched me. I’d like to thank him for his service to our country,” he stated.
The conditions surrounding Carreiro’s death are still being investigated, but nonetheless Lehman plans to attend any memorial planned for the area. “It was weird to hear he died. He was a good man; he deserves lots of tributes.”