David L. Carlson

He was born Sept. 2, 1931, in Norwich, CT., son of Harry W. and Natalie Hamilton Carlson. 

His mother was descended from the Mayflower colony through the Alden and Howland families and his father was the son of Swedish immigrants. The family moved numerous times, residing in Lebanon, Manchester, Westbrook, and Clinton before moving back to Norwich in 1939. They settled in Groton in 1946. One of his most vivid childhood memories was of the 1938 Hurricane and the devastation it brought to Eastern Connecticut. As a high school student, he worked summers at the former Town Farm on Fort Hill, now site of Groton’s Public Works Dept., Town Hall Annex and Police Headquarters, and on other farms in the region. He attended Norwich Free Academy and Fitch Senior High but dropped out to enlist in the U. S. Navy. He served in the Navy from 1948-52, including duty as a quartermaster-signalman on the Destroyer Escort Parle and Destroyer McCord. Prior to sea duty he was stationed at Green Cove Springs, Fla., Reserve Fleet. While in the service he gained a high school diploma from the U. S. Armed Forces Institute and completed a Newspaper Institute of America course. After leaving the service he returned to schooling and graduated from Mitchell College in 1955 with an Associate in Science degree and the University of Connecticut in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, minor in history.  He also received a high school equivalency certificate from the State of Connecticut. He worked for the New London Day from 1957 to 1989 as a reporter, photographer, and editor, and was an assistant managing editor before joining the Sports Department as news editor prior to retirement. While at The Day he attended several Associated Press Institute seminars at Columbia University. Major stories covered as a reporter included the Submarine Thresher sinking in 1963 and the Connecticut General Assembly. After retiring, he worked as a marine scow inspector certified by the U. S. Corps of Engineers from 1989 to 1996. Leisure activities included golf, which often involved traveling to different venues with golf buddies, including Ireland, and achieved one hole-in-one; reading, especially American history in general and the Civil and Revolutionary Wars in particular; science books and magazines; mystery novels, crossword puzzles, and formerly engaged in cruise sailing along the New England coast. Affiliations included, life member and two-time past exalted ruler of New London Lodge of Elks; past commander and life member of Post 9, American Legion of New London; Mystic Seaport; Smithsonian Institution; Destroyer Escort Sailors Association, and life member, National Rifle Association. He also was a former member of the Groton Sportsmen’s Club and Shennecossett Municipal Golf Course. Pursuing a lifelong interest in acquiring knowledge, he took advantage of his longtime Seaport membership by taking courses in sailing, and refresher courses in celestial and coastal navigation, weather, and electronic navigation. He always was proud to have been a student of astronomers Donald Treworgy and Susan Howell. He also enrolled in Groton Adult Education courses, including those in computer and Spanish. Always believing a newspaperman should have as wide experience as possible in many areas as possible, he at one time or another worked as a dairyman, meatcutter, bartender, roofer, bricklayer, and general maintenance man. He is survived by his nieces, Susan Harvey, Lorraine Buck, Robin Morgan, Janda Carlson, and Noel Haigh, his nephews, David Carlson and Christopher Carlson, numerous great-nieces, and great-nephews, as well as great-great nieces and great-great nephews as well. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Eric H. Carlson and Phillip H. Carlson, his sister, Diane Haigh, nephew Wayne Carlson, and a niece, Tracy Carlson.  

He also leaves long-time friend John Wells, with whom he shared his home. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 29th at 11 o’clock at the Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St New London. Interment in Maplewood Cemetery will be private.