Carmine Bianco

It is with much sadness that we share the passing of Carmine Bianco, Jr. of Deerfield Beach, FL on September 24, 2023 after a short stay in hospice at Broward Coral Springs.  Carmine was born at home and delivered by his father on August 4, 1928 in Topsfield, MA, the fourth boy in a family of 9 children. He graduated from Topsfield High School when the family lived on Rowley Bridge Road. The family later moved to Danvers, MA.  In his early years, Carmine had a knack for communication and sales. As a young entrepreneur, he purchased a restaurant 30 miles away from Danvers after he finished high school, and then sold it to manage another restaurant.  He was later hired as a gardener and chauffer for a wealthy woman from Philadelphia known as The Purple Lady of Philadelphia, and worked for her before enlisting in the Navy Reserves in 1949.  After the Naval Reserves, he went back to work for The Purple Lady for a few more years, and then enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War in 1952 where he was able to see parts of the world. After his fill of cold Massachusetts winters and rainy European weather, Carmine moved to the warmer region of Florida in Daytona Beach, later living in Pompano Beach, and finally Deerfield Beach where he made his home for the past several years.  Early employment in Florida included the Seaview Awning Company in Fort Lauderdale where his first sale made $500 – he had to split that amount with the owner! Six months later, however, he made enough money to purchase a new Ford Convertible!  Ever the salesman who knew how to engage with people and provide solutions to their problems, he eventually started his own business Bianco Enterprises, a carpet warehouse – Carmine did the sales and had installers work for him for over 35 years. When he retired, Carmine continued to serve the communities where he lived by offering his landscaping and gardening skills. Carmine resided at Grand Villa of Deerfield Beach since 2019. 

Over the years, he had a strong tribe of friends, including the staff and volunteers of Grand Villa of Deerfield Beach and Vitas Hospice Agency who assisted him along the way. The family is endlessly indebted to them for the time they spent with him when family was unable to be there. Carmine will forever be remembered for his artistry, his musical talent, his compassion, his kindness and generosity, his engaging smile, his uncanny memory of storytelling, his humor, strength and love. When told him "You Bianco’s are so strong!" he said, "God made us strong because he wants us to live!" He loved serving his country and enjoyed showing people his military papers.

Carmine was working on his life story in 2023, orchestrated by Laurel Torres of Vitas Healthcare; he passed away before the project was completed, and he loved what was written when Laurel read it out loud to him prior to publication.  For those who knew the artist in him, Carmine will be remembered by those who were recipients of his creative artwork, and his legacy will live on through those pictures. 

Carmine is deeply missed by so many including ALL the ladies at Grand Villa. At 95 years old he was still a charmer with distinguishing good looks and handsome features. As one Grand Villa resident said, “We are so lucky to have him in our lives!” 

Carmine is survived by his twin sister, Marie Bianco Trudeau of Prescott, AZ, his sister-in-law Christina Villari Bianco of Danvers, MA who was married to his late brother Ernesto (Ernie), his sister-in-law Louise Bianco who was married to his late brother Angelo.  He is also survived by his cousin Richard Cotoia (Marilyn), and his many nieces and nephews including Tara Trudeau Fort (Simon), CarolAnn Bianco Cosby (Peter), Lynn Bianco (Melanie), Todd Bianco, Timothy Bianco, Steven Bianco, Tonilynn Bianco Eddings, Thomas Gauthier (Diane), Hugh Collins, John Collins (Frances), Carla Bianco Burnett (Brian) and the children of those nieces and nephews.  Carmine is also survived by his long-time friends Tom, Emilio, Nancy, Bernie and Cindy, and Real Life Church volunteers Ruben and Eve, all of whom made his life happier and better by their presence and friendship. Carmine was preceded in death by his parents, Maria Josephine Cotoia Bianco, his father Carmine Bianco after whom he was named, and his siblings: Gerardo Bianco, Antonio Bianco, Angelo Bianco, Costanzo Bianco, Ernesto Bianco, Elena Bianco Collins, Josephine Bianco Gauthier Carlton, and his nephew Gerry Bianco, Jr.  

His family knows that Carmine would want to acknowledge the Grand Villa staff including the kindness and compassion of Elizabeth Darko, Shik Woodside-Brunache, Toni King, Diana Velez and the many other caregivers and staff who watched over him and cared for him over the years. There is a reason you were all put on this earth. We are so grateful. Carmine’s LNP Carline Brownlie was a Godsend to his healthcare, and we are so comforted that you were involved in recent years to ensure the best options for him. Carmine was served so well by Vitas Healthcare Volunteer Supervisor Laurel, and team including Diana, Tina and companion dog Paw Pal Dunkin. We could not have survived those months without you three (and Dunkin).  His caregivers Patricia and Marsha were called to assist during a most difficult time and honored Carmine’s days with their attentiveness and ability to provide a comforting presence. Your availability and advocacy for Carmine meant so much to our family. Heather Smith, his social worker from Thera Counsel is appreciated beyond measure for the many ways she was available to lift Carmine’s spirit over the years, and for providing a caring heart and bright light in his life. Heather, you were a lifeline for us all and Carmine loved seeing you and being a part of your therapeutic gatherings. 

A service to honor Carmine’s memory including the Patrick Air Force Base Honor Guard will be held at Deerfield Beach in April, and his ashes will be scattered over the ocean, as per his final wishes. Remember that “In the end, only kindness matters.”