Donald C. " Don" "Don" Carlson

Donald "Don" Carlson passed away peacefully at the age of 81, having lived a life defined by a vibrant sense of humor, unending generosity, love of the outdoors, and do-it-yourself mentality.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 30 years Maureen (O'Rourke), parents Henning and Florence (Rooch) & Joseph and Eleanor O'Rourke, brother David, sister Joan, and many other cherished relatives and lifelong family friends who no doubt welcomed him home recently.

He is survived by his daughter Katie Carlson of Warwick, son Dan Carlson of Brooklyn, sister Judy (Toft) of Lake Elmo, brothers-in-law Kevin O'Rourke of Cranston, Barry O'Rourke of Riverside, Brian O'Rourke of Warwick, Michael O'Rourke of Warwick, his many nieces and nephews, and an enthusiastic fanbase of neighbors, coworkers, and loyal friends.

A proud Minnesota Swede that was emblematic of all the best and worst stereotypes associated with that title, Don grew up in the bustle of the East Side of Saint Paul and quaint serenity of Turtle Lake in Shoreview, found his way to the Great Lake Michigan outside Chicago, followed his dreams to the coastal waters of Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay, and eventually settled near the warm currents of Southwest Florida. As a young man, he embodied the old-school Boy Scout lifestyle and worked as a lifeguard during summers, foreshadowing a lifelong passion of both being around people and taking care of them, paired with a deep affection for the water. Known for his sharp academic skills as a student while simultaneously holding court as class clown, he graduated from Johnson High School in 1962 and The University of Minnesota in 1966, and after earning his degree he decided to give back to the community as a science teacher in Fridley. Shortly thereafter his outgoing and playfully mischievous personality was recognized as a talent and he was recruited into the healthcare industry, going on to become a legendary salesman in New England for 33 years. In 1974 he married the love of his life, Mo, who tolerated and occasionally even gave into his antics, and with whom he raised two children and shared countless adventures on both sides of The Atlantic.

He was a frequent volunteer and organizer for charity events at the Veteran Fireman's Association in East Greenwich, and a founding member of "The Gourmet Club", a tongue-in-cheek name for five families of best friends that constantly celebrated the best of times and helped each other through the worst. Later in life he was "on tour" visiting friends across the country and stopping by the cabin at Turtle Lake before moving to sunny Florida, a place he fondly referred to as "God's waiting room". A consummate prankster and gadabout with an arsenal of one-liners, the thing he relished the most was meeting new people and trying to get a laugh out of them… or trying to get into trouble with them, right up until the end. As a man that lived life to the fullest, he leaves an exhausting amount of extremely close family friends, relatives, funny stories, and broken hearts.

A celebration of life in a place and tone that he would appreciate will take place on August 17th from 6-9 PM at the North Beach Clubhouse in Narragansett, RI

Memorial donations can be made in his name and spirit to Save The Bay, an organization close to his heart and longtime home.