Carmine J. Giordano, 84, passed away peacefully Nov. 16, 2021. In the days leading to his passing, he was surrounded by family members and he was never alone. Born in 1937 he grew up in the Besonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.
Carmine lived a full life. He graduated from New Utrecht High School in 1954. He enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War in 1955 and was proud to serve his country. While in the Air Force, he was trained to be a chef and was proud to cook for President Eisenhower and others. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Airman First Class and moved around the country for a few years afterward. He met his wife Maria in 1968 and they married in 1969, settling in Brooklyn. They moved to Middletown in 1976.
Throughout his life, Carmine was always eager to be involved with his community in many ways. He helped out at his local church, volunteered with the 4-H Club, and was active with the Middletown Democratic Party where he served as a township committeeperson. He was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a den leader in Cub Scout Pack 210 and then as a Boy Scout Assistant Scoutmaster for many years in Troop 110 in Lincroft. He was honored to be inducted into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society, where he was welcomed as a brotherhood member and helped out at many of their events over the years.
Carmine worked in construction throughout his life, but he also had many other interests and hobbies. He loved to cook every instance that he could for his family and community. He enjoyed the outdoors, spending many trips camping, fishing, hunting and sailing. He loved history and traveling to historic places. He really made the best of life at every chance he could. A man of many stories, he was always willing to strike up a conversation with anyone around him and was a good friend to many. He will be missed by his family and all who knew him throughout his life.
Carmine was predeceased by his father Joseph and his mother Josephine Diana. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Maria, his three children, Christian, Lisette and Joseph, son-in-law Sean, and two grandchildren, Aidan and Liam.
There was a memorial service for Carmine Nov. 22 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. The family will have a private burial service at his final resting place at St. John Cemetery in Middle Village, Queens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the Boy Scouts of America, a veterans association, or their favorite charity in Carmine’s name.
The article originally appeared in the November 25 – December 1, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
