Joseph Carlson

1931 - 2021

Joseph P. Carlson, 89

Holden - Joseph P. Carlson, 89, of Holden, died Thursday, July 15, 2021 at Rose Monahan Hospice, after a brief illness.

He was born in Worcester, son of Frederick Carlson and Josephine (Donahue) Carlson. He attended Saint John's Grammar School and graduated from Saints John's High School on Temple Street in 1949. He also attended Worcester Junior College. Joe proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in Korea for a total of fourteen months, six of which were in combat. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his graduation from high school, he started his career at Norton Company where he was employed for thirty-seven years. In 1967, he moved his family to Pamplona, Spain for eighteen months where he supervised the building of a new Norton Company plant. He retired in September of 1989 as supervisor of Process E - Diamond Wheel Division.

Joe was a friend of Bill W for 35 years, helping countless people recover over the years. He was a member of The American Legion Post 138 in Spencer, The Knight's of Columbus Council 14298 in Jefferson, The Norton Caravan Club and The Greendale Men's Club where he and Viola would go on countless trips all over the world, his favorite of which was Aruba. He was an honorary member of the Old Car Club and the Worcester County Model A Club, traveling all over the east coast in the antique cars with Viola, Jonathan and the club members. Joe never forgot where he came from, growing up as a Shoe-Shine-Boy on Madison Street in Worcester. He was a life-long member of Saint John's Church in Worcester. He loved working in his yard and in his vegetable and flower gardens daily. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

He leaves his companion and caregiver of 17 years, Viola R. (Foley) Norris; a son, Kenneth J. Carlson of Worcester; a daughter, Celeste I. Nozzolillo and her companion, John J. Richinick of Holden; two grandchildren, his caregiver and best friend, Jonathan J. Nozzolillo of West Boylston and Leah M. McCormick and her husband, Christopher; a great-granddaughter, Madison D. McCormick all of Rutland; several nieces and nephews; his extended family, Alexandra "Sandy" Norris, Viola Bernard, John and Cheryl Canty, Jeremy Picard, Rebecca MacDonnell, Mary Anderson, Pat and Phil Shannon; a very close friend, Sam Richesson of Worcester.

He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Benilda R. (Crespo) Carlson; a grandson, Joseph R. Nozzolillo and son-in-law, Joseph A. Nozzolillo, his siblings, Thomas Frederick, Jr., William, Mary, Paul and Pauline Carlson.

Joe's family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Lilac Home Care for taking excellent care of him this past year. They would also like thank his favorite Chiropractor, Dr. George DeFranca for keeping him moving during his two-year battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Family and friends are invited to visiting hours on Tuesday, July 20th from 4:00 until 7:00pm in the Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester. A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 21st at 10AM at Saint John's Church, 44 Temple Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The "Nuzzy" Memorial Foundation Inc., 29 Kris Allen Drive, Holden, MA 01520.