Carmen A. Bianco

Carmen A. Bianco

Carmen Anthony Bianco passed away on July 10, 2015 at Cokesbury Village at the age of 82.

He was born in Erie, PA to the late John A. and Pasqua C. Bianco. Carmen attended the Erie public schools; Irving Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, and Strong Vincent High School. His positive experiences at these three schools led him into the teaching profession. He excelled in football and was named All-City and All-State. He earned a BS in Biology from Edinboro State University. He continued to play football in college being named All-State each year. In 1953, he was drafted in the Army and stationed in Germany. When he returned to Edinboro, he met his love of his life, Joan Novelli, and later married in 1956. Carmen continued his education, receiving an MS in biology at West Chester University and post graduate studies at many other institutions.

Carmen moved to Wilmington in 1959, and began teaching biology at Brandywine High School for 31 years. He was named Delaware's Biology Teacher of the Year in 1980. He began coaching football in 1959 as an assistant, under his dear friend, John Modica. Later, becoming the head coach in 1969, a position he held until 1978. One of his most satisfying accomplishments was coaching the Blue team to a win in the 1975 Blue-Gold All-Star game. Later, he became an assistant coach at Cheyney University and continued to coach at numerous high schools in the area. He concluded his final season of coaching at Brandywine High School in 2007. Thus, ending a 52 year coaching career. Carmen also enjoyed coaching girls' basketball at Brandywine with Dick Durbano. He left a lasting legacy on his former biology students and football players throughout the years, many who still kept in contact with him. He will be missed by all.

After his retirement from Brandywine, he enjoyed many hobbies such as playing golf, creating stained glass for all his grandchildren, woodworking, tending to his vegetable garden and keeping with Italian tradition, his fig tree. He was fortunate to see the world, traveling abroad with his wife and family, Anita and Gene Balducci, and longtime friend, Fr. Dan Gerres. Carmen was a devout Catholic and served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Saint Mary Magdalen for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan Novelli Bianco, his three children, John S. Bianco (Kyle), of Landenberg, PA, Ann B. Wood (John) of Waldorf, MD, and Marguerite B. Annone (Michael), of Wilmington, and his grandchildren who were most dear to him, Kristine and Carolyn Bianco, Colleen (Alex) Barclay, Ron and Kathleen Wood, Michael and Maria Annone. He is also survived by an uncle, Mario Calvano of Erie, PA, and a cousin, David Calvano, also of Erie. He was predeceased by his brother, Dominic Bianco, and sister, Gilda Haefner.



Friends may call on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike (Rt. 202 South of Silverside Road) Wilmington, DE 19803. Additional parking will be available at the Brandywine YMCA with a connection pathway to our rear parking lot. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 15th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 7 Sharpley Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. Burial will be in St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to DFRC Blue-Gold Game, Four Seasons Plaza, 640 Plaza Dr. Newark, DE 19707 or Donations to the Poor Box, in care of St. Mary Magdalen, 7 Sharpley Rd. Wilmington, DE 19803.

To send condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com