Carmelo Fermin

LT Carmelo "Jim" Formantes Fermin, USN (ret.), 84, of Beaufort, SC, passed away on Friday, April 28, 2023, surrounded by his family at Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
Jim was born on April 24, 1939, in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, the son of the late Leandro and Trinidad (Formantes) Fermin. He married Jacqueline Patricia Kromrey in 1961. Jim served in the U.S. Navy for twenty-seven years, was commissioned as a Medical Service Corps officer in 1976, and retired in 1985. He deployed multiple times with the Marine Corps to Vietnam before he realized his dream of becoming a U.S. Citizen. He was a true patriot; he loved his Country, his service in the Navy, and being a Vietnam Veteran.
Jim's greatest love was his family; to be surrounded by three generations around the dinner table each Sunday was the highlight of his week. He enjoyed watching his family grow and would beam with pride with each new addition. Jim had never met a stranger; he truly enjoyed meeting and getting to know people. Jim was devoted to his Catholic faith and, throughout the years, served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Usher, and Lector.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Jacqueline "Jackie" Fermin; their children: Ralph (Sabra), Caroline (Tim), Jerry, and Michael; grandchildren: Morgan Iovine (Rob), Anthony (Cassidy), Chris, Caelan Knuth (Kynlee), Logan Knuth, MacKenzie, and Lindsay; great-grandchildren: Reef, Matthew Knuth, Oliver, Parker, Emersyn Iovine, Millie, and Elliott Iovine His brothers: Leandro Jr., Hernani, Victor, and Philamer; sisters: Lilia, Elenor, Trinidad, and RoseMarie. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Leatric, and her husband, Frank.
A Mass will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023, at St. Peter's Catholic Church beginning at 10:30 AM. Graveside Services will follow at the Beaufort National Cemetery with Military Honors beginning at Noon. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Alzheimer's Association or St. Peter's Catholic Church, Beaufort, SC.