Carmen Anthony Rio was born on July 13, 1944, in Bayonne, New Jersey. His parents were Carmen D. and Pierina M. Rio.

Carmen attended Catholic elementary & high schools in Bayonne. He attended Upsala College, in East Orange New Jersey. That is where he met his future wife, Lynne K. Fickes. She was the love of his life. They graduated together in the class of 1967. Carmen was hired by the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. in a management training program. Lynne was hired by the Maiden Form Company, manufacturer of Ladies garments in the administration area. Carmen & Lynne were married in August 1968.

With the Viet Nam War raging, Carmen felt obligated to serve in the military and enlisted in the U.S. Army Officer Candidate program. After basic training in Missouri and advanced Infantry training in Oklahoma, he was assigned to the Engineer Officer Candidate School at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Lynne rented an apartment near the army base to be near her husband and she worked in that area. Carmen completed Engineer Officer Candidate School graduating first in his class and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant. He was then assigned to the Engineer Officer Candidate School as a Tactical Training Officer. Lynne became pregnant in 1970 and had their son, Carleton Richard, shortly before Carmen was sent to Viet Nam.

In Viet Nam, Carmen was assigned to the 326th Combat Engineer Battalion of the 101st Airborne Infantry Division, serving as a Combat Engineer Platoon Leader. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant soon after his arrival in country. Carmen received two Bronze Star Medals during his service in Viet Nam. When his tour of duty was completed, he returned home and was soon after discharged from the U.S. Army. He was very proud of his service to his country.

Firestone held a position open for Carmen during his military service. Upon his discharge from the Army, Firestone assigned him to an operation in Baltimore, Maryland. He, Lynne, and son Carleton moved to the Baltimore area. Lynne was hired by the Arundel Corporation, in Baltimore working in their insurance department.
In 1973 Carmen accepted a position with Southern Maryland Oil Co. managing their tire subsidiary, Southern Maryland Tires Co. He, Lynne, and Carleton relocated to White Plains, MD. Lynne had been in the insurance business in Baltimore and continued in that field in Southern Maryland, working at a local insurance agency.

In 1978, Carmen accepted a position with Duncan Bros. Tire Co. in Winchester, VA. He was hired to manage the company and went on to become part owner and President of the company. Over the years, Duncan Bros. Tire Co. grew and operated 6 retail tire & service locations plus a large commercial tire operation covering a wide geographic area.

Lynne remained in the insurance industry after they moved to Winchester, ultimately starting her own insurance agency, “Lynne Rio Insurance Agency, Inc.”, which her son Carleton Rio now proudly owns.

Carmen became an active part of the community. He was appointed to the Frederick County Board of Equalization, a body that reviewed citizen challenges to real estate assessment values. He was also appointed to the Frederick County Department of Recreation Board. He served on that body for 8 years, as a Board Member and Board Chairman. He was appointed to the 20/20 Commission, serving as head of the “Law Enforcement Committee”, which delved into ways to improve that area in the City & County. Carmen joined the Kiwanis Club of Winchester in 1979. He served the club as Pancake Day Chairman, Board Member, Officer, and President in 1985/1986. He and his wife, Lynne became very active in the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, chairing the Country Music Dance Department for 15 years. Carmen then became a Festival Vice President, then served as Festival President for years 2005 & 2006. He remained on the Festival’s Board of Directors.

Carmen was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church since moving to the area.

There was no doubt that Winchester & Frederick County became the Rio family’s home.

Carmen’s wife, Lynne, predeceased him in 2018. Losing the love of his life broke his heart but it did not break his spirit. He maintained a busy & productive life. He is survived by his son and best friend, Carleton Rio, daughter-in-law Sonja Rio and granddaughters Alexa Tout, (husband Jared), Sofia Carmen Rio and Anneka Lin Rio and great granddaughter Valerie Tout. They were Carmen’s “Little Angels”!

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, form 6pm to 8pm at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel. A graveside service with military honors will be conducted on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 11am at Mount Hebron Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Sacred Heart Academy Tuition Angel Program, c/o Scared Heart Academy, 110 Keating Dr., Winchester, VA 22601 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.