MILLARD JOAQUIN GOMEZ

Millard Joaquin Gomez of Ocean View, Delaware, passed away at the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford, Delaware on July 19, 2026. He was born on November 14, 1939, in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, to the late Joaquim and Anastasia (Kwasnieski) Gomez.

After high school graduation at age 17, he enlisted in the Navy in 1956. He was trained to be a medical corpsman, and his first assignment was at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland. He spent time in the Mediterranean aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D Roosevelt CV-42. From the high seas he was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and then assigned aboard another carrier. In August 1965 Millard was sent to a year-long Medical Administration Program in Portsmouth, Virginia. Afterwards he was reassigned to the Office of the Attending Physician, U.S. Congress, Wash. DC. He ran the pharmacy dispensing medications to Senators, Congressmen and their staff for 11 years. He retired from the Navy in 1977 as a Master Chief. Millard received the Navy Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service from August 1966 to 1973, and also the Presidential Meritorious Service Medal from September 1973 to April 1977.

After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Millard enrolled in an accelerated program at Howard University in Washington, DC and graduated with a Pharmacy degree in 1980. He began working at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland where he eventually became the Director of Pharmacy for the hospital.

In 2000, after 20 years at the hospital, Millard retired to Bethany Beach, Delaware with his wife, Carol. Not truly ready to retire, he began working for Happy Harry’s and then Walgreens. At age 70 he finally retired from working.

Millard loved to grow vegetables and have beautiful flower gardens. He enjoyed many a golf game, playing cards with his buddies, and traveling with family and friends. Millard setup the Sunday breakfasts with the golf group at the VFW in Ocean View. He participated in the Meals on Wheels program. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the Fleet Reserve Association.

Millard is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Carol McMullen; his daughter, Deborah Gomez of North Bergen, New Jersey; and his son, Michael Gomez and his wife Patricia of Annapolis, Maryland; and grandchildren Luke Hunter, Alexander Gomez and Keira Gomez. He is also survived by his nieces, nephews and extended family.

Millard was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his brother Arthur Gomez.

Millard will be remembered for his unwavering sense of duty, quiet kindness, steadfast work ethic, and enduring love for his family. His life was one of service, loyalty, and devotion, and his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love him.

Burial service will be held in the future at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Millard to the Delaware Veterans Home, 100 Delaware Veterans Boulevard, Milford, Delaware, 19963 or to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, Delaware 19713.