Carmine Ianora

Carmine Henry Ianora, age 100, passed away on April 11th, 2021. He was born January 9, 1921 in Brooklyn, NY.  He was a long time resident of Bayonne NJ having moved there after the Brooklyn Navy Yard closed in the 1960s. Preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Rosalie Girgenti Ianora, and parents Angelina Gatti Ianora and Dominick Ianora, brother, Armand Ianora, sisters, Gloria Ianora, Concetta Gandolfo, Gilda (Jean) Steeneck, Olga Suppa, and son-in-law Louie Giordano and grandson Thomas Campagnolo.

He is survived by son Dr. Dominick Ianora (Margaret), daughters Angela Bianchi (Richard), Frances Giordano, and Dr. Denise Campagnolo (Tom), and 11 adoring grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Carmine was also blessed to have many beloved nieces and nephews, as well as many thoughtful friends who lovingly kept in close contact with him.

A graduate of Abraham Lincoln HS in Brooklyn, he went on to serve in the United States Army-Air Force during World War II. Specifically, he served in the Pacific Theatre in the Twentieth Air Force, which was responsible for the major B-29 bomber commands operating in the Pacific Theater. Carmine was a corporal who supported the crews who directly contributed to the end of World War II with the deployment of two atomic bombs days before the enemy’s surrender.

After his service to our nation, the Army sent him to watchmaker school where he learned that trade and used it as second job throughout his life until just a month before his passing. His primary job was at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, later after it closed, he transitioned to the Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne (MOTBY)/ Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC) in Bayonne, NJ supervising the motor pool and all transit activities on that facility. Later as the Army sought to out-source the motor pool supervision, Carmine saw that as an opportunity to bid for the contract, he created Car-Ro Inc. in 1984 with his wife Rosalie, and won the bid to continue the supervision of the motor pool only now as a private contractor and CEO through 1987.

His second career in watch repair really helped all of his family and friends, as he would never hesitate to replace a crown or swap out a battery for his family. He really kept an eye on the styles and watch improvements through time. He had a special affection for pocket-watches. Throughout his life he was a dedicated collector and admirer of coins, especially gold and silver coins. Carmine and Rosalie did travel extensively though out the US after their retirement, and Carmine loved to later recall all the great American cities they visited in stories he told. Carmine reveled in the cute things his grandchildren would say and made us all laugh repeating them at just the right moment; humor was a pillar of his life.

Visitation will be held at Bayonne Memorial Home Inc. on Friday, April 16th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A Catholic funeral mass will be the following day, Saturday the 17th of April, at St. Henry’s Church in Bayonne at 10:45 a.m. followed by entombment at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum.

Flowers may be sent to Bayonne Memorial Home, Inc.

Donations may be made to the Hudson County Animal League (http://hcalnj.org/about_us/).

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