Carmine Antonio Melchiorre

Carmine Antonio Melchiorre, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 19, 2026, at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland.

Carmine was born on August 14, 1940, in Gessopalena, Chieti, in the Abruzzo region of Italy, to Eugenia De Gregorio and Nicolantonio Melchiorre. He grew up in Gessopalena during the difficult years of World War II, surrounded by family and friends who adored him. His warm personality and infectious smile made him loved throughout his hometown, and many of the friendships he formed there lasted his entire life.

Carmine took part in some of the traditions that remain fondly remembered in his hometown. He participated in Gessopalena’s Carnevale Morto, a symbolic funeral marking the end of Carnevale, portraying Signora Coconia, the wife of Carnevale. His performance brought laughter and joy to the community and is still remembered today. He also participated in the town’s first Sacra Rappresentazione, a sacred theatrical production, portraying a Praetorian, or Roman soldier.

As a young boy, Carmine began learning the art of tailoring alongside his uncle, Nicola. At 16, he moved to Rome, where he continued to develop the skills that would eventually make him a master tailor. He later served in the Italian military before coming to the United States in 1967 in search of new opportunities. After initially settling in New Jersey, a Thanksgiving visit with his beloved Aunt Antonietta and cousins Fiore and Sabina (“Binetta”) brought him to Silver Spring, Maryland, which would become his home.

In 1968, Carmine met the love of his life, Maria Concetta, at an Italian church in Washington, D.C. They married on May 16, 1971, beginning a beautiful marriage that lasted 55 years. Together they traveled the world, attended church, made wine and meals, enjoyed opera, worked, retired, and built a life centered on faith, family, and one another.

Carmine took tremendous pride in his profession as a master tailor. Over the years, he worked at Raleighs, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Brooks Brothers, where he served as the Alterations Manager. He was admired not only for his exceptional craftsmanship but also for the relationships he formed with customers and coworkers throughout his career.

Outside of work, Carmine found joy in the simple things that made a house a home. He loved gardening, making wine, cooking, working around the house, and spending time with family and friends. Music and opera held a special place in his heart, and he and Maria Concetta attended performances from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco, Vienna, and Sydney. He loved holidays and the traditions and special meals that accompanied each one. Although deeply proud of his Italian heritage, Carmine was equally proud to become an American citizen and grateful for the opportunities his adopted country gave him.

Above all, Carmine will be remembered for his deep faith in God, his generosity, his warm and contagious smile, and the extraordinary love he gave to those around him. He loved his family and friends wholeheartedly, but there was no love more evident than the love he had for his wife. Carmine and Maria Concetta were partners in every sense of the word—best friends and constant companions who shared nearly everything together.

Carmine was a devoted member of St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church in Silver Spring and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Carmine is survived by his beloved wife, Maria Concetta Melchiorre; his sister, Alfonsina Melchiorre (Pietro Troilo); his brothers, Don Domenico Melchiorre and Giuseppe Melchiorre (Pina D’Onofrio); his nieces, Cristina Troilo (Alberto Ascani), Eugenia Troilo (Francesco Pasquarelli), Dr. Eugenia Melchiorre, and Paola Melchiorre (Vincenzo Ottalagana); his sister-in-law, Giuseppina Buonassisi (the late Umberto Buonassisi); his nephew, John Buonassisi (Carla Buonassisi); his nieces, Rosemary Gomez (Luis Gomez) and Anita Piermarini (Matthew Piermarini); and many beloved grandnieces and grandnephews in the United States and Italy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugenia DeGregorio and Nicola Antonio Melchiorre, as well as beloved extended family members.

Carmine lived a life filled with faith, hard work, laughter, generosity, and love. His family will remember the smile that could light up a room, his generous heart, and the way he made the people around him feel loved. His was a life deeply rooted in family and faith—and a 55-year love story that will always remain at the heart of his legacy.

Relatives and friends may call at St. Andrew Apostle Church, 11600 Kemp Mill Road, Silver Spring, MD, for a Visitation Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Carmine’s memory to organizations supporting heart, kidney, and Alzheimer’s research - American Heart Association ; National Kidney Foundation ; Alzheimer's Association of America