Carl Coldren Seldomridge's Obituary
Carl Coldren Seldomridge, age 74, of Lewes, DE, formerly of Blue Ball, PA, passed away on March 14, 2012 at his residence. Mr. Seldomridge was born on December 30, 1937 in Lancaster, PA and graduated from Upper Leacock High School in Leola, PA. in 1955. He graduated from Millersville State College in Millersville, PA, with a Degree in Education in May, 1963. Following graduation through 1965 he taught for the Warwick School District in Lititz, PA.
In 1966, Mr. Seldomridge moved to Washington, DC where he served as registrar for Prince Georges, MD Community College for 20 years. Following retirement, he became a successful and respected real estate associate with William Sawyer Inc. in Washington, DC, a firm specializing in historic homes in the Georgetown area. He and his partner, the late Dr. Donald Mitchell, purchased and renovated a major historic property in Georgetown, where they lived for 35 years.
Mr. Seldomridge and Dr. Mitchell spent their leisure time traveling the world to both well known and exotic locations, including Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, Central and South America and the Polynesian Islands.
In 1975, they also began acquiring commercial real estate in the Rehoboth Beach, DE area, including the location of the famed restaurant La La Land on Wilmington Avenue and a Rehoboth Avenue property where South Pacific Flowers is currently located. Mr. Seldomridge had earlier opened and operated a specialty store, Paper Moon, at that location.
He and Dr. Mitchell also acquired the historic 18th century Park Avenue Property in Lewes, and spent several years restoring and expanding that property with an accurate period restoration. This home has been widely acclaimed for its formal parterre boxwood gardens and an oriental inspired pool house. The gardens were created and maintained with the collaboration and assistance of his close friend and accomplished horticulturist, Carrie Fidler of Lewes.
Mr. Seldomridge’s generosity of spirit was freely shared with everyone who had the pleasure of his friendship during his lifetime.
He is survived by a sister, Joan Hibshman of Ephrata, PA; five nieces and nephews; and many long term friends in Lewes and Washington.
A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday March 29, 2012 at The Inn at Canal Square in Lewes at 12:00 PM, with a reception following. Interment will be private at Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, DC.
Memorial donations may be made to The Lewes Canal Front Park Endowment Fund, PO Box 110, Lewes, DE 19958.
Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Lewes.
Please sign Mr. Seldomrigde's online guestbook at this site.
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