John P. Carter, family man

John P. Carter, 81, of Milford, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family  Friday, March 1, 2024 at Bayhealth Sussex Campus, Milford. John was born in St. Louis, Mo., the son of the late Edwin and Hattie (Betley) Carter.

 

He attended the Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pa., and upon graduation, he proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was a pipe coverer who learned his trade as a member of the Asbestos Workers Union, Local 42, and he later owned and operated his own insulation business known as Blue Hen Insulation. In addition, he stayed true to the agricultural roots of the First State by running a small family farm and operating Double J Stables on the same property. After retiring from the insulation business, he enjoyed working at Fifer Orchards in Camden-Wyoming, leading farm and orchard tours, as well as delivering produce across the state.

The center of John’s life was his family. He was always the first to lend a hand, and it was often at first light, after a scrapple breakfast. Sitting still was not a skill he ever mastered, as he rarely missed an event for any of his children or his grandchildren. Family gatherings were a way of life for him, and he kept strong ties not only with his immediate family but with all relatives, including his many nieces and nephews. Holidays surrounded by family with bellies full of kielbasa and pierogies, spontaneous backyard cookouts with a ‘hoody doo’ in his hand, and sharing family stories with all who would listen were among his joys. Perhaps what he cherished most were country rides down every backroad of the peninsula with his best friend and the love of his life, his wife JoAnn.

He was a past president of the Cedarfield Ruritan Club, a member of Harrington Moose Lodge, a past president of the Milford Pop Warner Football League, and a member of Masonic Temple Lodge No. 9 of Milford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, John Alan Carter; and his brothers, Arthur and Edwin Carter.

John was survived by his loving wife of 59 years, JoAnn (Twardus) Carter; his brother, Tom Carter of Wilmington, his daughter, Connie Warren (Danny); his sons, Mark Carter (Sara Ganter) and Matt Carter (Sara Carter); and his grandchildren, Bryce Warren (Tara), Shannon Smith (Patrick), Courtney Carter, Brexton Carter, Jade Carter, Heron Carter, Sawyer Carter, Mason Moore, Julian Pons, Lucia Pons, Benno Pons and Foster Carter.

 

A Celebration of John's Life will be announced at a later date.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Mason’s Mobility Mission, masonsmobilitymission.org; or First State Marine Corps League, firststatemarines.org.

 

Arrangements by Lofland Funeral Home, Milford.

 

Letters of condolence may be shared with the family at loflandandmcknatt.com.