Deacon Carran is the son of the late Nicholas R. and Trudy (Marchionda) Carran. Deacon Carran is one of 5 boys: Nick (deceased), Joe (deceased), Frank (deceased) and Russell.
He married the former Robin Gagliano on January 14, 1984, and they have two sons: Jonathan and Matthew.

Deacon Carran was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on June 11, 2011, by Bishop David A. Zubik in St. Paul Cathedral in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. During his first 4 years of ministry, he served as the deacon for both Christ the King and St. James the Apostle parishes under the pastorate of Fr. James Downs. Upon Fr. Downs’ retirement in July 2015, Deacon Carran was appointed as the Deacon Administrator of Christ the King and St. James the Apostle parishes. On October 15, 2018, Deacon Carran was assigned to the newly established parish grouping as Deacon Administrator. He and Fr. McCaffrey were classmates in the seminary and have known each other for over 40 years. Upon the establishment of Holy Spirit Parish in 2019, Deacon Carran was assigned to the new parish and served as the Business Manager until his recent appointment as the Diocese of Pittsburgh Director of the Office for Deacon Personnel and the Deacon Formation Program.

Prior to his ordination and service in the church, Deacon Carran spent his working career in the financial industry for over 33 years; 25 years in banking and subsequently working for the Lawrence County Government Center as the Fiscal Administrator for Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities and Children and Youth Services.