Birth date: Mar 15, 1954 Death date: Nov 25, 2016
CARITE Carl Carite Jr. of Mt. Laurel, formerly Cinnaminson, passed away after a long battle with cancer on November 25th. He was 62. He is survived by Michelle Carite, the mother of Nicole MacHenry (Chris), Carl Carite (Julia), Ja Read Obituary
I flew with Carl in Yuma and in 131. Great guy, good stick and fun to be around. The Skyhawk community will miss him. We share in a small way your loss. Larry Wood A-4s forever!
Carl changed my life.
I first flew with Carl at US Airways. In the spring of 2011 we were on a flight to the Bahamas and back and the topic of Carl's cancer came up. I was interested, as prostate cancer is prevalent in my family. I told Carl that I was just waiting to turn 60 and get cancer, just like my father and grandfather. Everyone knew it was hereditary....except for Carl. He explained to me that that was not necessarily true, that lifestyle and diet may be the triggers for certain diseases. It was a great conversation. I had never heard that theory from any doctor or anyone else. Nothing much came of it though, until later that year. I had commuted into Philly the day of my trip and was in the airport bookstore and picked up a copy of Eat to Live. The author, Dr. Furhman, presented many of the same arguments about the role of diet and disease that Carl had made to me earlier that year. In the fall of that year, I showed up at the airplane for another trip with Carl. I didn't recognize him as the one who had introduced healthy eating to me earlier that year until I sat down and introduced myself. He looked familiar, so I asked him, "Have you read the China Study?" We both had a good laugh, and flew our 3 day together. His conversation earlier that year, along with the book, lead me to begin to follow a plant based diet, in part as a strategy for avoiding disease. It has developed into much more than that. That 3 day trip with Carl was one of the most memorable of my career. He had been through so much adversity in his life, and recently. Yet he had such a positive outlook on life, his life. He shared some very deep feelings, and asked some very deep questions of me, things I had never thought or contemplated. And really, when I think about it, I didn't know him that well. But I also felt like I knew him in a way I know no other. In a very deep, connected way.
The last time I saw Carl was at the Philly airport. He always brought a smile to my face. But it was weird, because he was eating a piece of pizza. I didn't expect that. During our short conversation, he mentioned he was going back out on medical leave, that the cancer was back. I tried to keep in contact with him via email and the occasional phone call. Eventually, he stopped responding, and I had a feeling he had taken a turn.
The news of his passing is heartbreaking. I wish all his family and friends the strength and courage that Carl displayed while battling his disease, as you deal with this difficult time. His legacy lives on, with me, through me, and all the other people he touched with his courage, his faith, his counsel and guidance. He was a wonderful person who will be missed by many.
Peace to all...
Rusty Trapp
First, let me offer my deepest sympathy to all in the Carite family dealing with the loss of Carl. I was just going through my emails and just learned of Carl's passing. I am shocked and so sad. I met Carl when we worked together at People Express and again at USAirways/American. I flew with Carl shortly after his return from medical and would see him periodically at work after that. Never did I think there would be a recurrence of his cancer and had not heard about it. He made me smile every time I saw him. There aren't words for times like this. All I can say is I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers, Dave Daniels
I first met Carl when he checked into VMA-223. As the guys in the Ready Room were musing about an appropriate call sign, Carl suggested “The Italian Stallion.” It didn’t take Bob Conser long to dub him “Gelding”…and it stuck. Yet Carl was always a stallion in everything he did. And no one would ever doubt the Italian part.
I had the privilege to work with him in the Maintenance Department of VMA-223 (his Marines appreciated his strong leadership style, coupled with compassion, wise counsel and guidance). I enjoyed his skills as a wingman and appreciated his value on any mission. While we both flew for USAirways, we never flew together and were never domiciled in the same city. Yet we met often “on the road” and always enjoyed an impromptu reunion. I knew him by reputation as recounted by the many captains with whom he flew. And my favorite captain flew with Carl often when Rick Odato left CLT for PHL. Those stories cemented his reputation: excellent flying skills coupled with everyone’s favorite travelling companion. Carl made four-day trips fly-by…pun intended.
Carlo, you left too soon, but I am heartened by your profession of faith. It means we’ll get to retell all those memories that I saw in that video of a life well lived. Semper Fi and stay on centerline ‘til we meet again.
Tony (Pizza) DeCandia
Tom and I send our deepest condolences to you, Michelle, and your family. We know what a special person Carl was, a true gentleman and wonderful family man. May God's love wrap you all in his love and peace.
Linda and Tom Pine
Very sad to hear of Carl's passing. We flew many trips at USAirways and seeing his name on the trip always brought a smile to may face. I knew that I was flying with a true professional. Even though he was a marine and I was navy, we where able to work it out who was the best stick. His positive outlook on life made the time we were just cruising along past very quickly. A great pilot and a great family man, he spoke of how proud he was of his children. I know he loved sports as he started me into umpiring little league baseball. When he was first ill, he passed on his equipment to me and I still use it to this day. Carl, when I strap on that mask I always think of you. God bless you and rest in peace my friend. Captain John Connelly, USAirways ret.
Met Capt. Carite while stationed w/MAG-49 in 1988-2000. He was one of the young Turk's and an outstanding Marine and pilot. It has always struck me how you remember the solid, down to earth Marine's throughout one's career and Carl Carite filled that profile in life. To his entire family and loved one's, May God accept his soul and Bless him for eternity.
Semper Fidelis
P J Kane Jr., CWO4, USMC (Retired)
