Robert “Bob” Franklin Carmine, Sr. of Laurel passed away at TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford. He was born on June 11, 1934 in Seaford to the late Edgar Jackson Carmean and Anna Armenthia Chaffinch Carmean. He attended Seaford High School and after graduation Bob joined the U.S. Marine Corp. in 1953 and was stationed at Camp LeJeune. He was honorably discharged in 1957 as a sergeant. He mentioned frequently that he wished he had made a career in the Marines.
In 1958 he married the Gumboro girl that he told his parents about saying, “I’m going to marry that woman someday” and they shared over 65 wonderful years together. Over the years, Bob worked in a number of grocery stores including Acme, Safeway, Food Lion and Super Fresh, doing what he loved, being a union meat cutter. His greatest accomplishments were being a loving husband to his wife, the best father in the world to his four children and a loving “Poppop” to 13 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. After his retirement, he loved taking his grandchildren/great-grandchildren on day trips to Lancaster, crabbing and the beach. He will be remembered for many things, but the memories he created and the love that he gave will surpass them all.
He is survived by his children: Cathy Hudson (Jeff) of Georgetown, Nancy Lowe of Laurel, Sue Whaley (Mark) of Laurel, and Rob Carmine (Angie) of Laurel; grandchildren, Joanna Hudson-Broadbelt (Jon), Meghan Kubin (Ray), Keri Hignutt (Jason), Heather Lowe, Michael Lowe, Patience Whaley-Murray (Dale), Chelsea Whaley, Eric Whaley (Carrie), Melissa Wright (Chad), Brittany Ross (Ernest), Brian Carmine (Courtney), Chris Carmine and Nicholas Carmine (Tory); great-grandchildren, Elanor Broadbelt, Josiah Hignutt, Joslyn Hignutt, Jerick Hignutt, Kayleigh Lowe, Kashton Lowe, Aidan Lowe, Kakayla Lowe, Ryan Jones, Mackenzie Whaley, Madelyn Whaley, Ryan Wright, Sean Wright, Kenniss Wright, Bailey Wright, Cora Murray, Jovie Murray, baby Murray (May of 2025), Benjamin Lloyd, Jr., Baylor Whaley, Ava Carmine, Julian Ross, Carter Ross, Ari’yana Ross, Oliver Carmine, Ora Carmine, Brooks Carmine and Indie Carmine. Several nieces and nephews also survive him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy E. Cordrey Carmine; siblings, Dorothy Carmean Collins, Louise Carmean Kinder, Mary Carmean Jefferson, Edgar (Bill) Carmean, Jr., Nelson E. Carmean, Frances Carmean McKee, and Ruth Carmean Meredith. All services will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made in Mr. Carmine’s memory to the Laurel Fire Department, 205 W. 10th Street, Laurel, Delaware 19956 and/or Sussex County Emergency Medical Services, P.O. Box 589, Georgetown, Delaware 19947. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hsdfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.