Carl Ronald Edler

Carl Ronald Edler, 88, a resident of Lake Worth, Florida for the past 31 years, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones on March 12, 2026.

Carl was born on November 29, 1937 in the Bronx, New York, to Swedish immigrant parents, Carl Olaf and Gertrude Anna Edler. Growing up in New York City, Carl developed a lifelong love for the New York Yankees. As a young boy, he frequently rode the subway to Yankee Stadium to watch games and was fortunate enough to collect autographs from many of baseball’s legendary players.

Carl was a proud graduate of Stuyvesant High School and later attended the University of Maine, where he studied geology. During his time there, he served as captain of the men’s tennis team, was a member of the fraternity Tau Epsilon Phi, and participated in Army ROTC. After graduating in 1959, Carl completed Engineer Officer training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and served as a Captain in the United States Army Reserves in a Combat Engineer Unit from 1960 to 1966.

Following his military service, Carl began a long and successful career with Sears, Roebuck & Co., where he worked in retail management throughout the Northeast for 35 years before retiring in 1994. He was widely respected for his strong work ethic and remembered as a patient, fair, and supportive leader who formed genuine connections with employees and positively influenced the lives of many people he mentored throughout his career.

Carl had a lifelong love of sports and the outdoors. He particularly enjoyed golfing and often volunteered as a marshal at professional golf tournaments. He was also an avid tennis player and fisherman, and he loved attending college football tailgates, baseball games, and hockey games. A passionate student of American history, Carl was especially fascinated by the Civil War and took many trips to visit historic battlefields.

On July 21, 1984, Carl married the love of his life, Francine, in Cheshire, Connecticut. Together they shared more than 41 wonderful years of marriage, building a life filled with love, adventure, and travel. They especially enjoyed cruising, international trips, and spending time in New England.

Above all else, Carl was devoted to his family. Known for his warmth and easy conversation, he had a remarkable gift for connecting with everyone he met—from neighbors to grocery store workers—and was truly a friend to all. His greatest pride and joy, however, was his large and loving family. Carl made every effort to stay deeply involved in their lives, traveling thousands of miles to attend graduations, tailgates, youth sporting events, and family celebrations. As a father, husband, and beloved “Pop Pop,” he was deeply adored.

Carl was often described as “Viking strong,” a nod to both his Swedish heritage and his enduring spirit. One of his final great family gatherings was the unforgettable “Epic Thanksgiving of 2025,” which also celebrated his 88th birthday and brought together more than 40 members of his beloved family.

He is survived by his loving wife, Francine (Villella) Edler of Lake Worth, Florida; his five children: Karen (Charles) Hurd of Norwell, Massachusetts and Jackson, New Hampshire; Pamela (Dale) Azuma of Marshfield, Massachusetts; Barbara (Dave) Dodson of Murray, Utah; Terry (Paul) Miller of Wilmington, Delaware, and their mother Joyce L. Dodge Cantell; and William G. Sharp (Ashley) of Claremont, North Carolina. He is also survived by his 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Eric Edler; and his son, Carl Eric Edler.

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carl’s memory to Trustbridge Hospice of Palm Beach County online or by mail to: Trustbridge Foundation Inc., 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33407.