Darwin Raynor Tansey Sr.

Darwin was a beloved husband, father, friend and humble veteran of the U.S. Navy, who served aboard the historic Essex-class aircraft carrier, the USS Wasp (CV-18), during the Korean War.

Born on August 2, 1932 in Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania to the late Hubert and Olive (Piper) Tansey, Darwin graduated from North Union High School in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 19. He honorably served from 1951 to 1955 attaining the rank of Petty Officer Third Class and was awarded the China Service Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.

Following his honorable discharge, Darwin met and married the love of his life, Clara Ann (Tkach) Tansey. They married in 1956, after which he led a long and successful career in the U.S. Postal Service beginning as a mail clerk and advancing to Director of Finance of the Jacksonville Post Office until he retired in 1987.

A gentle and kind man, Darwin will best be remembered for his bright smile, pure honesty, a humble love for the Lord, a passion for reading and learning, a sincere love for his family and his enjoyment of a good game of golf.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 siblings and his beloved daughter, Cynthia (Tansey) Hopkins Wells. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 70 years, Clara; his sister Betsy (Tansey) Wolf; his loving son Darwin Tansey (wife, Patsy) and daughter Brenda Tansey French; his cherished grandchildren, Eric Tansey (wife, Ashleigh), James Tansey (wife, Sarah), Daniel Cross (wife, Kelle), Holly Ann (Cross) Breaux (husband, Cale), Katie Hopkins, Elijah French (wife, Kaylee), Emily French and Anna French and his 9 great-grandchildren who all lovingly knew him simply as, “Grampy”.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Darwin’s Celebration of Life on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida 32223 at 9:00 a.m.

After his Celebration of Life, a ceremony with United States Navy honors will be held at Jacksonville National Cemetery, located at 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL, at 11:00 a.m. also on July 14, 2026.