Carl Finstrom Jr.

1936 - 2015

BROOKLYN - Carl Finstrom, a resident of Williamsburg since 1991, died October 18, 2015 following a long struggle bravely waged with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. His unfailing good humor and positive attitude was noted by all the medical personnel who cared for him during his illness. Carl, only son of Christiana and Carl Gustav Finstr�m Sr. was born in Illinois in 1936 and grew up in the Chicago area. He attended elementary and high schools in Chicago and graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois with a bachelor's of science degree in chemistry minoring in geology. He earned several postgraduate degrees including a master of liberal arts degree from Johns Hopkins University, Masters of business administration from Golden Gate college in California and the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Carl joined Army ROTC in high school, continued in college and went on to serve as a Regular Army officer beginning in 1961. Among other commendations awarded during his over 30 years' active federal service were the Army commendation medal, Army service ribbon, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious service medal, National Defense service medal, overseas service ribbon, Republic of Vietnam gallantry cross, republic of Vietnam campaign medal, Vietnam service medal and was awarded the Order of the Polar Star citation from King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden in 1991. Carl served in many locations including multiple assignments in Western Europe, the continental United States, Japan and Vietnam. Upon Carl's retirement from the army he moved to Williamsburg and became president of the Williamsburg Stamp Society and chairman of the Christopher Wren association of the College of William and Mary. A scholar at heart, Carl enjoyed being a lecturer on over 25 different subjects in the association's offerings. Carl was also a member of the Eighth Air Force Association, the Civil War Roundtable, the Sons of Norway, Nordmanns Forbundet, the US Post Office Advisory Council, the Swedish American Studies Society, the Association of Former Intelligence Officers and the OSS Society. Carl is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Joanne, beloved daughters Lisa Finstrom and Julia (Jeff ) Salzwedel, and brother-in-law Carl William Jensen Jr, He is affectionately remembered as Morfar by his granddaughters Mary (Eric) Roelofs and Emily Salzwedel, and grandsons Carl and Eric Sanford. His great-granddaughters Abigail and Hailey Roelofs knew him as Oldefar. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, and numerous relatives and friends all over the world. Carl was predeceased by his son, Carl Erik Finstrom, his sister Grace Sandberg and sister-in-law Marilyn Houlberg. A memorial service will be held at Hickory Neck Episcopal Church, Toano, Virginia at 2 PM Friday, October 23, 2015. A celebration of Carl's life will be held at Nelsen's Funeral Home in Williamsburg later that day from 6-8pm for viewing and visitation. Colonel Carl Finstrom, USA (Ret) will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials in Carl's honor may be made to Hickory Neck Episcopal Church, The College of William and Mary for the Christopher Wren Association, or Hospice House Williamsburg. Photo credit: Parr McQueen