Edward Vincent DiCarlo

Edward (Ted) was a real-life MacGyver.  His philosophy was why pay for it if you can make it or fix it yourself.  If he could imagine it, he could create it and usually did in his own endearing and unconventional way.  Give him some basic raw materials, wood, sheet metal and a few tools and his resourcefulness was boundless ranging from making his own nutritional supplements to any and all house renovations.  Tradesman and repairman didn’t waste their time waiting for Ted’s call.

Born in 1933 to Alexander and Irene DiCarlo in Holyoke, Massachusetts, he also had an older brother, Alan.  After Ted graduated from high school, he served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 and Massachusetts Air National Guard from 1956-1958.  After an honorable discharge, he eventually moved to Milwaukee to earn an applied science degree at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.  While working as a bartender on the Milwaukee Clipper during a day cruise on Lake Michigan, he mutually caught the adoring eyes of one of the ship’s customers, Helen, who became his wife of 60 years. 

After marrying and having their first two of three children, Ted and Helen moved to San Diego where he worked at Cubic Corporation as an engineer.  With new opportunities emerging in military defense in the mid-1960s, Ted, Helen and now three children relocated to Utica, NY, to work for General Electric’s Aerospace Department where he worked on one of his most proud career achievements – solving critical mechanical problems with the F-111’s tactical aircraft radar antenna and guidance system. 

In 1969, the family relocated back to sunny San Diego and settled in Allied Gardens.  He worked briefly for NASSCO until returning to General Electric’s Medical Systems, most notably installing all of the x-ray equipment on San Diego’s aircraft carriers including the Kittyhawk and hospital ships the Mercy and Comfort.

Outside of work, Ted loved being in or near the water, be it freediving, swimming, or enjoying a simple picnic by the bay.  He loved learning about history, spending long hours puttering in his tool and machine-filled workshop, riding motorcycles on- and off-road but later transitioned to the less injury-prone sport of casual bicycle riding.  He enjoyed picnics and outdoor adventures with his family.  He loved animals as much as they loved him.  He’d likely be the first person a cat or dog would cozy up to in a room full of strangers.  He also loved big cats and in his later years developed a strong affinity for wolves.

Ted didn’t need or desire a large social circle, but his family and those who took time to know him will always cherish his wickedly dry sense of humor and quirky ingenuity.  One of his most endearing qualities was his honest and often humorous summary of any given situation without mincing words.

Ted is survived by his wife, Helen, 3 children--Yvonne, David and Yvette--and two grandchildren, Jenna and Ashley.

An event to celebrate Ted’s life will be announced to friends and family in the coming weeks.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward Vincent DiCarlo, please visit our floral store.