Robert W. Carlson, 76
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Robert W. Carlson, 76, of Mansfield formerly of Sharon passed away on Monday October 26, 2009 at Caritas Norwood Hospital in Norwood after a hard fought battle from complications of multiple sclerosis. He was the beloved husband of Margaret (Pardy) Carlson whom he was married on January 22, 1956.
Born in Boston, MA on November 4, 1932 he was a son of the late Walter T., Sr., and Dorothy (Dexter) Carlson.
Bob grew up in the Hyde Park section of Boston, was educated in Boston schools and was a graduate of Hyde Park High School. After high school he entered the United States Army, proudly serving his country during the Korean Conflict. After serving for three years he was honorably discharged on December 19, 1955 as an Intelligence Expert.
After serving his country he married his wife Margaret and furthered his schooling by graduating from Boston University where he received his Bachelors Degree in Education and later attended Bridgewater State College to earn his Masters Degree in Education.
Mr. Carlson was a retired President of the Sharon Credit Union in Sharon, an institute he worked at for 25 years prior to retiring in 2000. He previously taught in the Sharon School System as a Social Studies teacher. He began teaching at the Wilbur School and later at the junior high school. Bob also helped students receive their driver’s license by teaching Drivers Education.
Active in Sharon town affairs, Bob was instrumental in the creation of the Recreation Department. He was a Director and Past Chairman of the Massachusetts Share Insurance Corporation. When younger, his family was active members of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sharon where Mr. Carlson served as a youth advisor to the Young Peoples Fellowship.
Bob was quite a history buff and enjoyed staying active at the Sharon Historical Society and tracing his family genealogy. His other interests included gardening and he relished the many wonderful times spent with family and friends at Manomet Beach in Plymouth. A resident of Mansfield for the past 17 years he had previously made his home in Sharon for 30 years.
In addition to his beloved wife of over 53 years he is survived by his devoted children Robert W. Carlson, Jr. and his wife Roni of Mansfield, James L. Carlson and his wife Elena of Foxboro, Bruce A. Carlson of Mansfield, Karen J. Carlson of Foxboro and Barry D. Carlson and his wife Nancy of Stoughton. He was the brother of Walter T. Carlson, Jr. of Raynham, John Carlson of Danvers, Alvah Carlson of Florida and the late Dorothy Lewis and Richard Carlson. Also surviving are his cherished grandchildren Christopher, James, Hiliary, Brian and Matthew Carlson, his aunt Helen Cregg and many nieces and nephews.
His funeral service, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Friday October 30th at 11:00 A.M. in St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 116 South Street Foxboro. Burial with military honors will follow at Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday October 29th from 4-7 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home 55 North Main St. Mansfield.
In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to the Robert W. Carlson Scholarship Fund care of Sharon Credit Union 30 Pond Street Sharon, MA 02067.
For additional information please visit www.shermanjackson.com