Roger A. Carlsen

            Roger A. Carlsen, 94, passed away peacefully at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst on April 25, 2015.  He was born November 9, 1920 in Haverhill, MA, the son of Trygve and Bernice (Wormwood) Carlsen.  He grew up in West Newbury, MA and graduated from West Newbury High School.  He attended the University of Iowa, served in the Coast Guard during World War II, and graduated from Springfield College after the war.  He taught physical education and coached basketball, soccer and baseball in both the Pittsfield and Colebrook, NH Public Schools.  He retired as the Director of Physical Education and Health for the city of Haverhill, MA Public Schools.  Roger had a great love of the mountains of New England as well as its seacoast.   He grew up hiking, camping,  swimming, canoeing, sailing and skiing and passed that love on to his family.

            In January of 1946, Roger married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Bennett Johnson, who predeceased him in 2004. Roger was also predeceased by his brother, Norman Carlsen and his sister, Barbara Pittendreigh.  He is survived by his three children Karen C. Bucala of Whately,  Christina Carlsen of Rochester, NH, and Iver R. Carlsen of Scarborough, ME; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  Roger also leaves his friends and staff of Lathrop Home where he enjoyed the past nine years of his life.  The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of the Fisher Home for their compassionate care during his final days.

            A Memorial Service will be held Monday, May 4, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 34 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke.  The family will receive visitors during the hour prior to the service.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in West Newbury.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Lathrop Home, 215 South St., Northampton, MA  01060;  or to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant St.,  Amherst, MA 01002.   Douglass Funeral Service of Amherst has been entrusted with his arrangements.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.