Francis Merrill Carlson

Francis Merrill Carlson, 94 years old, died after a brief illness at Andover Subacute and Rehab Center, Andover, N.J., on Sunday, July 20, 2014. Born to Francis and Veronica Carlson in the Bronx, he was a summer resident of Lake Wallkill since 1959 and became a resident in 1973.

Mr. Carlson worked as a crane operator and oiler for the Operating Engineers Union Local #15, New York City for many years. He was a member of the B.P.O.E. Sussex Elks Lodge #2288, the St. Raymond’s Knights of Columbus, Bronx and a parishioner of St. Monica’s RC Church, Sussex, N.J. His great passion and joy was instructing and playing golf.

Frank was predeceased by his wife, Marion in 1994, his brother, Gregory in 1985 and his sister, Dorothy in 1939. He was the devoted father of Donald and his wife, Anne, of Newton, N.J., and Richard and his wife, Ellen, of Montague, N.J. Known as Pop to his grandchildren, Donald Carlson and his wife, Jean Flaherty, Sean Carlson, Clint Carlson and his wife, Clara, Erin Carlson and Veronica Curran and her husband, Francis. Pop was great grandfather of Ryeland Carlson, and Saoirse and Declan Curran. He is survived by his dear sister Veronica Morley of Baltimore , MD. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass celebrating Frank's life will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2014, at noon at St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church, Sandyston Twp., N.J. Cremation services entrusted to Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial gifts may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 350 Sparta Avenue, B2 , Sparta, NJ 07871. Information and condolences can be found at www.fergusonvernonfuneralhome.com.