Gene A. DeCarlo

Ormond Beach Observer
Tributes & Obituaries

Gene A. DeCarlo

Gene A. DeCarlo, passed peacefully on July 22, 2023 at the age of 92 in Ocala, Florida.

Gene was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Yardville, New Jersey, graduating from Hamilton High School West. He served in the United States Air Force, earning the Occupation Medal Japan, UN Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the Korean Service Medal with 1/B Sv Star.

On September 6, 1952 Gene married Lila Kae Braun of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. They shared a life many would dream of.

Gene’s passion was in aviation. At the start of his flying career, he ferried airplanes for Norm Hortman, out of Morrisville Airport in Pennsylvania, and flew for Former United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Walter Annenberg. Gene eventually became the Chief Pilot for Pfizer Pharmaceutical which took him all over the world. Out of all the countries he got to fly to during his tenure at Pfizer, Ireland was one of his favorites.

It was when Gene flew for Stanley Dancer, an Equestrian Harness Racing Champion that he discovered his second passion: horses. Gene attained his harness driving license and experienced success harness racing, considering it one of the best times of his life.

In retirement, he stayed busy sailing, motor coaching all over the United States, golfing, and building homes. Gene also continued to be involved in aviation, restoring planes with his son and friends. A Boeing-Stearman, a favorite of his, won top honors at the Sun and Fun Air Show.

In addition to his wife Lila Kae, Gene is survived by his son Mark (Minerva) DeCarlo, daughter Lynn (Ken) Symons; grandchildren Lila Symons, Sabrina DeCarlo, Alyssa (Josh) Duke, Anthony DeCarlo, Nicholas DeCarlo, great grandchildren Violet Delgado and Dean Duke, nieces, nephews and many friends.