Obituary of Irvin H. Carty

Irvin Henry Carty, Jr., son of Joseph Irvin Henry Carty, Sr. and Rita "McHeard" Carty was born August 17, 1931, in Wilmington, Delaware. He passed away June 12, 2009, at his Gilpin Hall residence, also in Wilmington. Irv known to his family as Junie, attended St. Joseph's Parochial School as a child and graduated from Howard High School in 1951. He went on to attend the University of Delaware and was the first black student to live on campus and the first to letter in Varsity Cross Country. He later entered the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division and married his high school sweetheart Pearl S. Lockwood (deceased). Upon leaving the service as a lieutenant, Irv returned to Wilmington (DE) with his family and served in the Delaware National Guard. When he left the reserves he was a Major with the Adjutant General Office. He worked for the Delaware Department of Welfare as a case worker while working part-time for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Irv went on to have a 30 year career with the USPS, working his way from a clerk up to director of employee labor relations for the state of Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland. He retired in 1989. Irv was involved in his community and was the president of the St. Mary's and St. Patrick's Parish Council and president of his local PTA. He was also passionate during his life about the issue of racial equality. His belief always was his experiences would always make it easier for those that came after him. He volunteered his time for the YWCA study circles program facilitating racial training addressing issues of tolerance and how communities could start dialogues on race. He was instrumental in expanding this program through the state of Delaware, including Kent and Sussex Counties. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Theresa Strickland; former wife Pearl S. Carty; and daughter Wahnetah M. Carty. Irv is survived by sister Florence Elizabeth Patton of Wilmington (DE); children Thomas Evans (upstate NY); Michael A. Carty (Andrea) of Wilmington; retired Lieutenant Colonel Irvin H. Carty, III (Sieglinde) of El Paso (Texas); Maynard D.Carty (Elisabeth) of Gales Ferry (CT); Lewis P. Carty (Karen) of Wilmington (DE); Lisa Carty of Wilmington (DE); Joanna D. Carty of Wilmington (DE) and Valarie M. Carty of Alexandria (VA). He had eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Viewing on Tuesday, June 16th, at The House of Wright Mortuary, 208 E. 35th Street, Wilmington, DE, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Service on Wednesday, June 17th, 4:00 pm and Viewing 3:00 to 3:45 pm at the Hanover Presbyterian Church 18th & Bayard Blvd. Wilm, DE. Interment in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE, at 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 18th. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made, in his name, to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1012 French Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. Read Irvin Carty, Jr.'s Obituary and Guestbook on houseofwrightmortuary.com.