Robert J. Carnwath

Robert J. Carnwath of West Chester Robert J. Carnwath, of West Chester, died surrounded by his family on Sunday, June 17, 2012, after a courageous battle with leukemia. He was 83. Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Carnwath graduated from Haverford High School, class of 1946 and attended The University of Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1946-1948. He was recalled during the Korean War and served from 1950-1952. Almost his entire business career was spent in sales in the food industry. Joining Johnson & Johnson in 1950, he left as Philadelphia district manager to join Sage Laboratories in 1961 and left as V.P. of sales in 1966 to join Commonwealth Marketing Associates, a food brokerage company from which he retired in 1983 as president. Mr. Carnwath gave much of his free time to business and community activities. He was past-president of the Marple-Newtown Jaycees, The Association of Manufacturers Representatives of Philadelphia and The Philadelphia Food Brokers Association. He also served for many years on the Planning Commission and as chairman of the Zoning Hearing Board of East Goshen Township. Mr. Carnwath is survived by his wife Jane, a son, Robert W. of Romansville, three daughters, Elyse Ford of Downingtown, Ellen Russell of Parkesburg, Kathryn of Riverside, N.J. and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughter, Beth Salmon. Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, at Christ Community Church, 1190 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the church. Graveside Services will be 11 a.m. on Friday June 22, at Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christ Community Church of which he was a member at the above address. Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com.