Carmen Cardea

Carmen was born on July 16, 1946 in Riverside, New Jersey, and graduated from Palmyra High School in 1964. His storied career in the U.S. Navy began in recruit training in July 1964, followed by Machinist’s Mate and Nuclear Power training. He served on the USS John Adams (SSBN 620) beginning in 1966 and was transferred to the USS Flasher (SSN 613), stationed in Pearl Harbor, in 1971. He worked as a recruiter in New Jersey from 1973-1976. Carmen’s five year tour aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) included three Mediterranean deployments and a record setting deployment to the Indian Ocean. His shore duty included assignments as Career Counselor and Submarine Nuclear CPO Detailer. Carmen’s final assignment was Command Master Chief on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in 1986. Following his retirement due to poor health in 1988, Carmen moved with his family to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was active in the VFW, DAV and his church choir. His lifetime hobbies included woodworking, playing numerous musical instruments, fishing, latch hook work, reading, and keeping an immaculate yard. He loved to dance, and even though he was limited by his health, he did so every chance he got. He continued to hone his crafts when the family moved to Bowie, Maryland in 1993. He made friends everywhere he went and was always ready to share stories of his time in the US Navy. He became a fan of NASCAR later in life and attended several races with his wife. Carmen was keen to remember his younger, healthier days when he was an avid skier, tennis player, and sports enthusiast. He wished he could travel more, but was eager to listen to his family’s adventure stories. Carmen died peacefully at home on March 15, 2016. He is survived by his loving wife, Laurie-Jo; his children, Thomas C. and wife Kelly, Erin, Susan, and Paul; and his grandchildren, Finnegan and Breanna. He is also survived by his father, Thomas F. and wife Cathy, mother Shirley, and his siblings, Thomas M. and wife Polly, Paul, Christopher, Michele and husband Carl Mozingo, and Kevin and wife Victoria, along with several nieces and nephews.