Harry E. Carlson

Harry Edward Carlson left us peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, October 20, 2024 from complications related to pancreatic cancer. Just as he had hoped, he was at home and surrounded by his faithful furry friends, Holly and Shadow, and was being lovingly cared for by his niece, Barbara.
Harry was born to George Russell Carlson Sr. and Mary Evelyn Goddard in Detroit Michigan on May 19, 1947. Harry is survived by his two sons, Mac Vaughey (Samantha) and Andy Vaughey, and his three nieces, daughters to his brother, George Carlson Jr, Amanda Blumenstein (Michael), Marcia Johnson (Scott) and Barbara Carlson.
He graduated from Seaholm High School and attended the University of Michigan. Harry also graduated from Oakland University with a B.A. in Theatrical Performance. Harry was a bit of a renaissance man with successful careers in business, real estate development and sales as well as acting in theater, film and television.
Harry returned to Seaholm for his 20th class reunion in 1985 where he rekindled a relationship with his high school crush, Candi Vaughey. Harry and Candi enjoyed a long loving relationship, marrying in 2000. Harry helped to raise Candi's two boys, Mac and Andy, as his own.
A proud member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA, Harry's acting talents landed him roles in several feature films including Hoffa, Renaissance Man, Judicial Consent, Collision Course, Rosary Murders as well as the trio of Horse Camp films. He often took the stage in performances in and around the Detroit area including The Fantasticks, West Side Story, Beggar's Opera, Gingerbread Lady, Mary, Mary, A Day of Time, Pirates of Penance, Amadeus and the Sound of Music. Year after year, you could also find him strolling through the Michigan Renaissance Festival in his role as King. His acting headshot sheet colorfully noted his special ability to impersonate Andy Rooney and his baritone singing voice with the "ability to belt". He often shared his proudest acting moment as auditioning for Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson for his role of US Senator Karl Mundt in Hoffa.
But likely the role that touched the most lives was that as one of the real Santa's helpers, filling in for the real Santa when he was stuck in the North Pole preparing for Christmas. Harry was featured as the "Perfect Santa" with the only "5 candy cane rating" by the Detroit News, regularly appearing as the Santa in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade and at the Detroit Tigers "Christmas in July". His pitch, caught by the Grinch, one year went viral appearing on ESPN and news shows nationwide (really – check it out on YouTube!). Over the course of his career, thousands of children sat on his lap to share their Christmas wishes – in malls, department stores and golf clubs. He listened to them all with love and care, making each one of them feel like the most important child in Santa's eyes.
When playing one of the real Santa's helpers, none of those children were more important to him than the kids in his own world – Mac and Andy, Amanda, Marcia and Barbara definitely, but also his grandnieces and grandnephews and children of close friends. Santa would appear in his red Santamobile, "Santa's Detroit Muscle", with his white beard, big belly and twinkle in his eye – always noting their recent birthday or lost tooth, encouraging them to be good until next year. As one of real Santa's helpers, his enthusiasm was infectious and his patience boundless.
Harry has always been supported and surrounded by an amazing group of friends. After Candi's death in 2013, he was comforted by his friendships with Elaine Hudson and Barbara Boswell. Theirs grew into a deep friendship that included travel, holidays, meals and card games. Harry's family would like to thank the many people who helped and visited with Harry throughout his illness, especially Elaine and Barbara as well as Jocil Rogus and Joan Topping, whom Harry affectionately referred to as the "Coven". Their love and patience with Harry was just as if they were his sisters.
A memorial service in honor of Harry will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16th with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation in his name to the Leader Dogs of the Blind and/or the American Cancer Society. And most importantly, in his honor, be eccentric, support your local theater, let your dog lick your face and sit on the couch, cherish your friends as family, soak in the hotel hot tub and eat the filet.