We Remember Those We Have Lost

We Remember Those We Have Lost
daffodils

John Carl Deck Jr.
OCEAN CITY — John Carl Deck Jr., 97, died Sept. 26, 2011 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.

He was born in Washington D.C. and was married for 66 years to his beloved wife, the late Catherine. S. Deck. As a young man, he apprenticed with an uncle who was an optician. Prior to World War II, he served in the National Guard was trained as a medic. When war was declared, and just as his unit was about to be sent overseas, he was detailed to manage the optics lab at the Washington Navy Yard, as he possessed specialized skills in the manufacture of glass optical lenses.

John and his family lived in Cheverly, Md. from 1939 to 1970. He and his family then moved to Ocean City full time. In the 1970’s, John was part of a group of businessmen who brought ‘Big Band’ dances to the newly constructed Ocean City convention center. He served as a past president of the Ocean City-Berlin Optimist Club. He had a security business and also a courier business that served many Ocean City area banks and businesses. John was a member of Saint John Neumann’s Catholic Church.

He is survived by four children; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces, nephews and extended family. John was a warm man who always saw good in everyone, who therefore leaves an extraordinary number of close friends.

Funeral services will be private.

Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.
Mary Ann Carovillano

OCEAN CITY — Mary Ann Carovillano, 78, a long-time resident of Needham, Mass. and Ocean City, died on Sept. 19, 2011 in Bedford, Texas from complications of a severe stroke.

Mary Ann is survived by her daughter, Deborah (husband Edward) of Massachusetts; son, David (wife Amy) of Texas; daughter, Rebecca (husband Tracy) of Colorado; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Mary Ann was a resident of Needham, Mass. for more than 30 years where she worked as a Realtor and later as a travel agent. She was very active in local politics and served as a Town Meeting Member for several years. Mary Ann was a member of the Needham Postcomers’ Club and an avid bridge player. She was also a gourmet cook, who, along with her former husband Robert, loved to entertain family and friends.

Mary Ann retired to Ocean City in 1998 where she immersed herself in the senior community and thoroughly enjoyed the company of many new friends. Mary Ann worked part-time at the Ocean City Convention and Visitors Bureau, was the “Grande Dame” of the local Red Hat Society ladies group, was an active member of the area AARP chapter and regularly played Pinochle, Mah Jong and, of course, Bingo. She looked forward to being an annual volunteer during Ocean City’s “Play it Safe” week for high school graduates. Mary Ann had a great sense of adventure and loved to see the world, particularly from the deck of a cruise ship.

Mary Ann will be greatly missed and remembered always.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

James “Jim” F. Watts

OCEAN CITY — James “Jim” F. Watts, age 89, died Sept. 28, 2011 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

He is survived by his wife, Evangeline Dyson Watts of Ocean City and formerly of Baltimore; daughters, Sandy VanWestenberg, and her husband Mike of Fairfield, Pa., and Beverly Dearing and her husband John of Fruitland; a step daughter, Allison Jubber and her husband Eugene of Willards; a step son, David Bennett and his wife Betty of Great Mills, Md.; and a step son, Thomas Bennett and his wife Alicia of Mechanicsville, Md..  He was a loving grandfather of three granddaughters, two step-granddaughters, three step-grandsons, and opne great-grandson. He was preceded in death by 1 step-grandson. He is also survived by 3 sisters and 1 brother.

Jim served in the Coast Guard during World War II. He was awarded 2 keys to the city by the mayors of Ocean City. He was also awarded “Citizen of the Year” by the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.  He was a member of Kids Line, the Ocean City Shrine, the Paramedics Foundation, and the Foundation Board of Directors of Atlantic General Hospital.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at the Burbage Funeral Home on Friday, at 1:00 PM.  Inurnment will be held October 1 in Gardens of Faith Cemetery in Baltimore, MD.

Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.