NEWBURYPORT – Malcolm Carnwath was a Realtor and a respected historic preservationist with deep roots in his beloved Newburyport and Portsmouth. But Carnwath probably prefers to be thought of more as a Jazz pianist.
As a long-time member of this city’s historical commission, he researched historic homes that brought numerous under-appreciated houses to life, which helped find new owners and allowed existing owners to appreciate better the homes they lived in.
These days, Carnwath’s eyes light up when his music is mentioned. He played New Orleans-style jazz most Tuesday nights at Portsmouth’s storied Press Room jam sessions and has deep ties to the regional music community.
At least until Saturday night, Nov. 16, 2024. He was driving home from photographing ships in Portsmouth Harbor, his friend Donn Pollard said. Nazayah Carrasquillo, who was driving an Amazon delivery truck in the opposite direction “fell asleep at the wheel, crossed the center line and struck (Carnwath’s) vehicle head-on at a combined speed approaching 100 (miles per hour) according to court filings.
The Portsmouth first responders had to use the jaws of life to extract him from a crash that caused “catastrophic, life-altering injuries,” according to court records. His heart stopped beating for at least 12 minutes.
He should have perished in the crash, Marc Breakstone, one of his attorneys, a partner at Breakstone, White & Gluck, told the Boston Globe.
“And yet he lived!” wrote friend Jerry Mullins. “God was not done with him.”
Carnwath, 78, was rushed to Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Over the next six months, he required 24 surgeries to repair damaged organs including his brain and had his left leg amputated below the knee, according to several friends and court records. His left arm is paralyzed. He breathes through a tracheostomy in his throat and communicates on a keyboard linked to a computer.
“I firmly believe if it wasn’t for the prayer warriors at the Old South Church, and the encouragement of his frequent visitors from the church and from his music community, he would have passed away soon after the accident” Mullins wrote.
A Middlesex jury last month awarded Carnwath and his attorneys a judgement of $56 million, reportedly the largest judgement against Amazon and its partner, Agora Logistics, a Boxford-based Amazon Delivery Service Partner that operates last-mile delivery routes.
A patient at the Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital in Haverhill, Carnwath was a blues and hard bop piano player, who worked with a number of well-known musicians, including Tom Rush and Muddy Waters. He had his own band, cleverly named Little Malcolm and the Mal-Fun-Shuns.
Friends and family members hosted a benefit concert with several performers last year at the church where he was a long-time member, contributor to its musical program and where he has a large number of friends, including Pollard and Mullin.
“When I walked in the Old South Church and saw Malcolm there, it was like coming home,” Pollard said.
Carnwath came to his benefit concert accompanied by two nurses. During the concert, his oxygen ran out, causing a stir, friends said.
“To me, Malcolm was two things – a musician and a historical preservationist,” Pollard said.
Appointed to the city’s historical commission in 2013, Carnwath enjoyed researching area homes. He was mentored by the late-Prudence Fish in historical architectural styles at Dick Carlson’s real estate firm. His research was lauded by many homeowners who appreciated his insights into the history of their homes.
Wrote one fan about a home on Strong Street: “I hope that what I have relayed should establish the label, ‘historically significant’, enough that not just the Historical Commission should designate it such but the present owners understand the gem they possess and rehabilitate the home rather than demolish it.”
Due to his extensive injuries, it is unlikely Carnwath will be able to live independently. His friends lobbied to have his rehabilitation care at Whittier, close enough for his friends to visit. With the judgment from Amazon, he may be able to buy a larger home in Newburyport where he could have the needed round-the-clock care. Or he may choose to live in a nursing home. ♦
