John Carlson

Carlson, John
John Carlson, 89, a lifetime resident of Greenwich, CT, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 1, 2013. He was born on October 21, 1923 in Stamford, CT to Swedish immigrants Hjalmar Knute and Esther Jonsson Carlson. He was also known to many as Jack and as Poppi to his grandchildren. Attending Greenwich public schools, John graduated from Greenwich High School in1942. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during WWII and served on the USS Grundy and the USS Tripoli in the American, Asiatic Pacific and European Theatres. He was awarded five medals for his service. After the war, John attended Brooklyn Engineering Institute, receiving his electrician's license. He held an electrical contractor's license and was experienced in all phases of the trade. He worked at Conde Nast for 18 years followed by 25 years as Senior Electrical Engineer at Clairol Corporation, designing and installing electrical systems. John also worked as an electrician and was known to proudly state the work he had done on many homes as he drove around town. John met his future wife, Norma at Chez Maurice Danceland in Montreal, Canada in 1947. That first dance was followed by a ride on a bicycle-built-for-four with friends. The rest was history. John loved Norma very much and was a loyal and devoted husband. They were happily married for 63 years. A lifetime Yankee fan, John enjoyed many sports as well as gardening, boating and travel. He was an avid reader and loved writing and telling entertaining stories. He was loved for his generous heart, his kindness and concern for others, and a wonderful sense of humor and storytelling skills, bringing smiles and laughter to many. His parents, Hjalmar and Esther, a daughter Susan Agnes Carlson, and his sisters Edith Clark, Catherine Anderson and Agnes Carlson preceded John in death. He is survived by his spouse, Norma Hubert Carlson of Greenwich, CT; his sons - Thomas (Susan) Carlson of Baltimore, MD and Robert (Barbara Urso) Carlson of Cos Cob, CT; and his daughters - Christine (Christopher) Doney of Norwalk, CT, Mary (Thomas) Waicul of Colerain, NC, and Eileen (John) Sierra of Cos Cob, CT. John is also survived by six grandchildren: Anthony (Nikki) Waicul of Bedford, VA, Doreen (Peter) Dimitri of Colerain, NC, Courtney (Jefrey Bulla) Carlson of Hoboken, NJ, Justin Sierra of Cos Cob, CT, Stephen Carlson of Spring, TX, and Keli Sierra of Cos Cob, CT. His great-grandchildren, Kaylin Dimitri of Colerain, NC and Ella Waicul of Bedford, VA, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive him. His family and friends loved him deeply and will miss his gentle and smiling presence. Services will be held on Saturday, January 5 at 10am in Evangelical Community Church, 1155 Newfield Avenue, Stamford CT followed by interment at Putnam Cemetery, 35 Parsonage Rd, Greenwich, CT. Friends and relatives may call on Friday, January 4 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Knapp Funeral Home, 267 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT.