Thomas J. Carbine, 96, businessman

Thomas J. Carbine, 96, of Ardmore, a decorated World War II pilot who later became president of an enameling company and the father of 12 children, died Sunday, Jan. 11, of an intestinal ailment at ManorCare King of Prussia.

Mr. Carbine was president of the Quaker City Japanning & Enameling Co., a metal finishing firm at Third Street and Girard Avenue. He sold the building and gradually wound down the firm's operations a while ago.

Born in Narberth, Mr. Carbine graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School and earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Villanova University.

Before World War II, he was a civilian transport pilot helping the British move airplanes. After war was declared in December 1941, he became commander of a fighter bomber unit in the European Theater. In 1944, he was an operations officer in Iceland active in antisubmarine warfare.

For meritorious service, Mr. Carbine was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Croix de Guerre, given by the French government.

He was discharged from active duty in January 1946 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

After the war, he joined the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order of World Wars.

Mr. Carbine was active in many professional groups, including the Philadelphia Association of Metal Finishers, W. Wilson Goode's Mayor's Small Business Advisory Council, and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. He attended the White House Conference on Small Business as an elected delegate from Pennsylvania in August 1986.

In 1949, he married Mary Loftus Carbine. The couple settled in Ardmore and had 12 children.

He found time to participate in civic groups such as the Ard-Wood Civic Association, the Federation of Lower Merion Township Civic Associations, and the Lower Merion Township Community Watch Inc., of which he was founding president.

"He was out a lot of nights," said daughter Melinda Daly. "He did a lot of good."

He was a longtime member of St. Colman Roman Catholic Church, Ardmore.

His wife died in 2004 at age 77. Surviving, beside his daughter, are daughters Sharon, Patricia, Marianne, Margaret Jones, Nancy McKenna, Carolyn Tierney, and Constance Dolente, and sons Joseph and Patrick. Two other sons, Thomas J. Jr. and John F., died earlier. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two sisters.

Funeral services were Thursday, Jan. 15.

Donations may be made to Project HOME, Attn: Development Department, 1515 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia 19130.