Mr. Paul Carter Sr.

As originally published on Thursday, March 20, 2008.

Mr. Paul M. Carter Sr., 79, of Emmitsburg, died Monday, March 17, 2008, at the Gettysburg, Pa. hospital with his family at his side. He was the loving husband of 50 years to M. Claire (McNeill) Carter.

Former owner of the Emmitsburg Pharmacy and widely known as "Doc Carter," he was a well-respected member of the Emmitsburg community and loved history, poetry, and music. Generous to a fault, Mr. Carter had a keen eye for people in need and frequently lent a hand to those normally forgotten. After retiring in 1989, he enjoyed traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.

Born Aug. 12, 1928, he was the son of the late Mary Frances (Szymanski) and Milton Curtis Carter. Mr. Carter was raised in Baltimore and graduated from City College High School in 1946. A 1950 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, he began his long career as a pharmacist at the William Rossberg Pharmacy in Baltimore. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve Corps, 457th General Hospital from 1955 to 1958. In 1961, Mr. and Mrs. Carter moved to Emmitsburg and bought the Emmitsburg Pharmacy, which they owned for 29 years.

A member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Mr. Carter served the St. Vincent DePaul Society, was St. Joseph's Lay Corporator, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Brute Council #1860.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his seven children, Paul M. Carter Jr., and wife, Andrea of Athens, Greece; Mark S. Carter and wife, Carolyn of Mukilteo, Wash.; Gary W. Carter and wife, Robin of Kensington; John P. Carter and wife, Ellen of Gettysburg, Pa.; Mary Claire Best and husband, Christopher of Thurmont; Kathleen A. Carter of Thurmont; and David J. Carter and wife, Andrea of Waltham, Mass. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Paul, George, Bill, Benjamin, William, Matthew, Evan, Lucy, John, Henry, Mary, James, Emma, Ted, and Andrew; his brother, William F. Carter and wife, Beverly of Eldersburg; and his sister, Patricia Long of Emmitsburg.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 104 E. Main St., Thurmont, where a vigil for Mr. Carter will be held at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 24, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, with the Rev. Stephen P. Trzecieski officiating. Burial will follow in the New St. Joseph's Cemetery.

If you knew this individual, and would like to see them remembered in the next History of Emmitsburg, Please send us any stories or anecdotes about them to us at: history@emmitsburg.net