Dr. John L. Carnochan Jr.

Dr. John L. Carnochan, Jr., 92, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2011, surrounded by his loving family.

Dr. Carnochan had resided in Frederick County since 1964. He was Superintendent of Frederick County Schools from 1964 to 1976. After retiring from education at age 57 he joined Eastalco Aluminum Company as Community Relations Manager and legislative liaison, and retired in 1987.

John Low Carnochan, Jr. was born in Hagerstown, Maryland on October 19, 1918 to John Low Carnochan and Susan Long Carnochan. He graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1936 and attended Western Maryland College, known today as McDaniel College, where he majored in math and music. There he met his future wife, Emily Linton of Charles County Maryland.

After serving his country in World War II, John Carnochan worked in Washington County, Maryland as a teacher, vice principal and principal, and completed his graduate degree of Master of Education. While principal at Williamsport High School he worked toward the Doctor of Education degree during summer sessions at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City.

In 1961, John and Emily moved with their five children to Rye, New York so that he could complete the final year of his doctoral studies at Columbia. Upon returning to Maryland, Dr. Carnochan was an assistant to the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools. In 1963 he was appointedassistant Superintendent for instruction in Frederick County andwas appointed Superintendent on June 1, 1964.

The twelve years as Superintendent of Public Schools in Frederick were his most challenging and satisfying. Dr. Carnochan brought with him a fresh and innovative approach to public education. He implemented the establishment of middle schools, a new concept at the time. He oversaw the creation of a separate campus for the community college, as well as new construction and renovation of 34 school buildings. Kindergartens in all elementary schools, collective bargaining for teachers, the practice of team teaching in public schools, and the use of teacher aides in classrooms were all established under his leadership. His colleagues respected Dr. Carnochan as a fair and open-minded administrator.

John Carnochan's love of music found expression as a singer and conductor of religious music. He was active in Hagerstown's First Brethren Church from childhood and was choir director from 1947- 1961. He was in demand as a baritone soloist in the community. In Frederick he was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher for adults and a choir member and baritone soloist for 22 years.

After graduating from Western Maryland College John was drafted into the U.S. Army just nineteen days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on May 15, 1942 and deployed to the Pacific. After 10 months he received word his mother was ill with cancer and took leave to visit her. Before going overseas a second time, John and Emily Kent Linton were married at Old Durham Church in Charles County Maryland. He and his bride took a cross-country train to San Francisco for their honeymoon before Carnochan returned to active duty in Hawaii. The newlyweds would not see one another until the war ended 28 months later. His mother died during his wartime service.

At the end of the war JohnCarnochan separated from active duty with the rank of Captain. He remained in the Army Active Reserve, retiring in 1964 as a Lt. Colonel, specializing in logistics.

Five children were born to the couple between 1947 and 1956. After moving from Hagerstown, Maryland to Rye, New York and back to Howard County, Maryland, a sixth child was born in 1963. There they built their mid-century modern dream house, but the Carnochan family found their dream community in Frederick County. Dr. John Carnochan and Emily Carnochan have been delighted to call Frederick their home for 47 years. The couple contributed to civic life of Frederick, participating in fund raising for many community organizations. John served as treasurer for the Delaplaine Arts Educational Center for seven years and was on the Board of Directors of the Family Life Center and of the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

In October 2006, the couple moved from Braddock Heights to Buckingham's Choice, a retirement community near Frederick, Maryland. John was active in the financial planning committee and the Skeptics Group.

John Carnochan is lovingly remembered by his wife, Emily; son, John and wife, Kathy Levitt of Venice, CA; son, David and wife, Barbara Watkins of Boston, MA; daughter, Susan and husband, David Ray of South Salem, NY; daughter, Jeannie and husband, Kevin Hessler of Frederick, MD; daughter, Carol Daiger of Braddock Heights, MD; and son, Robert and wife, Karen Salwerowicz of Austin, TX. He will be missed by his eight grandchildren, Sara and Anna Carnochan, Dylan Ray, Nicholas Albaugh and wife, Dalis, and Laura Albaugh Bitto and husband, Nick Bitto, Brooks Albaugh, Alexandra and Addison Carnochan. Great grandchild, Jaclyn Renee was born October 18, 2011 to Nick and Dalis Albaugh. He is warmly remembered by his Daiger step-grandchildren, Michele, John, Ryan and wife, Amy, Kendal and husband, Jon Barkee, Jason and wife, Colleen; and his other step- grandchildren, Greg and Megan Hessler and Erika Heyrman. Six Daiger step- great-grandchildren, Morgan, Kennedy, Hayden, Riley, Ethan and Hank remember him. He will be missed by his many nieces and nephews, as well as Emily's siblings, Sam Linton Jr., and Elizabeth deKeyser.

He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Jack Daiger; brother-in-law, Marbury Linton; and his only sister, Agnes Carnochan Wallace.

Two memorial services will be held. The first will be at Buckingham's Choice on Saturday, October 29th at 2:00 p.m. The second will take place Saturday, November 5th at Calvary United Method Church in Frederick at 11:00 a.m. featuring an organ recital by Joche Wilmot with the reverend Harry C. Cole officiating. A reception will follow at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Frederick County for the Delaplaine Arts Center (301- 695-7660), or to Buckingham's Choice Residents Assistance Fund, 3200 Baker Cir., Adamstown, MD 21710.