Duncan Henry Carmichael

Duncan Henry Carmichael – July 18, 1932-November 1, 2019

Duncan Henry Carmichael born on July 18, 1932 in Dillon, South Carolina, entered eternal rest on November 1, 2019.  Nicknamed Hoagy because of his musical prowess, he was preceded in death by his parents, Carrie (Nee Ellison) and William Carmichael; his siblings, William, James William, Nathaniel, Heywood and Carolyn Kee (Carmichael); and his childhood sweetheart and first wife, Barbara Ann (Williams).

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife and loving caregiver Hazel; his beloved Sister-in-Law Lucille Carmichael; four children, Alphonso McCray (Michele), Gary Carmichael, Monique Somerville (Lee) and Deborah Carmichael-Hampton AKA “Lil Hoagy” (William); ten grandchildren, Tammy Biddle, Charles A. McCray, Voshon A McCray, William Tristan Hampton (Jun) JaVonn Christian Johnson, Brandon Lee Johnson-Douglass, Karington Alexa Somerville (Babygirl), Nicole Jackson (Marcus) and Charles Jackson; and two great-grandchildren, Lenox Maxwell Jackson and Mia Calista Ann Hampton.  He was “Uncle Duncan” to an extremely large number of nieces and nephews who all considered him to be their favorite.  He also leaves behind a host of friends and extended family.

His parents were a part of the great migration of African Americans who moved to the north in the 30’s and 40’s to escape Jim Crow and the racism of the south. They settled in Jersey City, New Jersey and Duncan joined his parents in Jersey City as a little boy.

Duncan served in the Army during the Korean War in the 82nd Division, the first integrated paratrooper division. In his later years,  Duncan was active with the 369th Veterans Association, Inc. and served as an Assistant Treasurer. 

After his military service ended, he became a local and long-distance truck driver and loved his 18-wheeler with two gear shifts and a cabin in the back.  He drove a truck for over 50 years until illness sidelined him in his 70’s. He was happiest when he sat high in the truck and was on the open road, driving and talking on the CB radio.

He had a  lifelong love of music and at a young age learned how to play the piano and organ solely by ear. As a teenager, he was a member of several music groups and played and sang in the church choir. He passed on his love of music to his children. It was not uncommon to wake up in the morning to him blasting Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Stevie Wonder or Junior Walker and the All-Stars.

Duncan  was the quintessential Foodie!  If he wasn’t cooking it, he was at a restaurant or a truck stop that had the best food.  One of his favorite things was to cook for friends and family. He had his own garden and would use the bounty for it to cook.

He cared about the community, forming a group that turned a messy vacant lot into a community garden.  He  and his friends spent hours there tending to the soil and making sure that the garden was plentiful.  He then took on the task of teaching the kids in the neighborhood how to garden.

He always made sure that his neighbors were well taken care of, often shoveling their path during snowstorms and giving them gifts of vegetables from his garden.

The most important thing to Duncan were the children in his family.  He spent hours and hours with all the kids, taking them places, teaching them life lessons and cooking for them. During the summer, he often took his children with him to work in his 18-wheeler on his day trips.  He truly was the griot of our family, teaching us kids about our southern roots orally and captured our history in photos and film.  If he came walking down the street and his nieces and nephews were around, they would take off running and shouting “Uncle Duncan, Uncle Duncan!” 

The most important lesson he taught ALL the Carmichael children about loving one another and always being there for each other.  With the understanding that humans are not perfect, but true love is.  A light has dimmed for all of us, but he has gained his wings.  He left a lasting impression and everyone, young and old has a story to tell about Hoagy.

Mount Zion Lodge #23, Past Master Duncan H. Carmichael 33rd degree.  Thrice Puissant Grand Master Lodge of Perfection. Victor Lori #1, Companion, Royal of Arch Sir Knight, Knights of Templar Commander and Chief St. Paul Consistory  #1, ILL. Potentate Sahara Temple #1 Nobles of the Mistic Shrine.

Services will be on Saturday, November 9, 2019, at the New Hope Community Church located at 77 Alaska St, Staten Island, New York 10310. The viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and the funeral service will begin at ten. Duncan will be laid to rest at Beth Israel Cemetery/Woodbridge Memorial Gardens, US Highway 1 North, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society PO Box 555, 2321 West 20th Street, Washington, DC 55555 or to the Richmond District 369th Veterans Association, Inc., P.O. Box 140172, Staten Island, NY 10314.

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