A kind, caring, gentle man with a twinkle in his eyes leaves his devoted, beloved wife of 62 years, Katherine, 4 children: Carl (Peggy), Todd (Tammy), Wendy (Kevin) Frank, Betsey (John) Welker, 13 Lovebugs and 12 Great-Lovebugs. Sisters: Eileen (Charles) Allen, Sandra Hebing, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Carl, sisters and Mom lived with his grandparents in Pumpkin Hook while his Dad served in the US Army during World War II. The one-room school house is still standing that they attended. When the bottom of their shoes had holes, cardboard was put in. His Dad bought a house on West Avenue in Fairport Village where he grew up, attended Fairport schools, earned two “F” playing on the soccer team and graduated in 1961. At 16 He started stocking shelves and loading groceries at Star Market (now Tops) in Panorama Plaza. In June 1961 Carl started prepping “Sky Chef meals” for American Airlines at the Rochester airport. Three years later he went with his supervisor to Glen Edith Restaurant on Irondequoit Bay working 6 days a week. There he cleaned, prepared, broiled cases of clams, lobster, crabs, shrimp and fish for 5 years until he developed an allergy to seafood. His lungs filled with fluid so bad he had to go into the cooler to breathe again. Because of that he told Bill Netzman that he would work mornings for free while Bob Burkholder trained him to repair washers, dryers, dishwasher, and garbage disposals. Thus Carl was the “Maytag Man” for 46 years for Netzman’s Appliance servicing Webster and nearby area. For a few years, nights, Carl was the Head Chef at the Heritage House where he trained, prepped, prepared food and did ice carvings for special party group buffets.

I belonged to Mrs Botsford’s Saturday Night Dance Club. In May 1958 we met at Harrow East Ballroom at a formal dance with live band. Carl came as a guest of a friend. We were doing the polka when Carl tripped me in front of the band and he landed on top of me! That was the start of our 65 year relationship!

Married December 20, 1961, we raised 2 boys and 2 girls in a 10 year span. Since neither one of us had had vacations with our parents, we were determined to truly shower them with love and special inexpensive memories. Carl’s monthly bonus from Netzman’s was yellow stamps. The kids would glue them in the books and each month we would go and pick out more camping equipment: 12 x 12 tent, sleeping bags, bunk beds, small propane grill, etc. We treasured our outdoor simple life with the kids. We borrowed a pop-up camper for a trip to visit my brother in Oklahoma from friends – we were hooked – no more sleeping on the ground! We bought a used pop-up that slept 8. Eventually we went to hard-sided pull behind 19’ and then 26’ with a slide – no more walking to camp ground bathrooms!

We always had family or kids with us to make the time more meaningful! Our last trip with our 5 youngest Lovebugs (10-14) we went to Sherkston Shores on Lake Erie in Canada – their request because of past memories there! At the border the agent asked if we left any home – yes 6! Then we admitted we had wood with us for campfires – well you can’t bring wood because of bugs in it. Those 5 faces helped the agent to let us over as long as we burned all the wood!

Our home on Five Mile Line had a walkout heated basement with bathroom. My Dad, Grandpa Irv, and that older group in Klem Road area had bought Artic Cat snowmobiles. On Sundays when we had snow, they would bring a dish to pass and take turns taking our families and Carl’s Dad for rides – Webster was wide open then and you could travel far! In 1971 Carl bought an Artic Cat Lynx for his Dad who had passed on Father’s Day. As the kids grew, Carl eventually bought 3 more. We had such memorable trips to Old Forge with 2 other families during February break. As time went on our own kids bought theirs and we had fun times in Redfield, Osceola, Altmar and Tug Hill sharing with our Lovebugs and teaching them to drive.

In 2000 we bought a $15,000 open bow 17’ Four Winns boat complete with life jackets, tow ropes for $7,000. Carl would get out of work, we’d gather the family, grab food and head to Canandaigua Lake – during the week. We took a boating course, I was determined to know how to handle that boat! Carl was so delighted pulling the Lovebugs on tubes and sometimes dumping them off or teaching them to ski! In turn the Lovebugs learned to spot Papa and another double skiing. We then started renting a home on Keuka Lake for a week every summer so the family could come down and enjoy the water and taking turns with the boat. One rainy afternoon while we were inside playing games, Papa sat at the island and painted his own fingernails different colors! Our 4 youngest teenage Lovebugs were so embarrassed when CJ and us went to buy smaller lifejackets for them. The clerk commented on how beautiful his nails were and they ran out the door!

Carl joined Webster Lions Club December 1973. He was very dedicated and helped in the many fundraisers. I told him I would divorce him if he became president because I’d be stuck doing all his tasks! Consequently he was tail twister all but the last two when he wasn’t strong enough. The members always picked on him because of his “honest -?” raffles he did every meeting!

For over 13 years Sunday mornings we arrived to church by 8 am so Carl could bake Chocolate Chip cookies for the congregation and pass out after service. He’s known as “Cookie Man”!

Carl acquired many talents: mechanical, plumbing, electrical, building 6 homes and a barn with the help of friends, and family over the years! He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone and they returned the favor!

Carl was the most dedicated, loving, hard-working man – a lot of times working two jobs. He shared his many talents with his boys mostly. His family was the most important part of his life. Our Lovebugs were an extra special bonus! Papa was always happy to have them, letting them mow when their legs were long enough, teach them something he was working on, let them help pack things for a trip. He always told them “I Love You” as he hugged them!

When God Blessed us with Great-Lovebugs, what a dream! Papa got to have many delightful fun times , camping, visiting them in Florida and living with us during Covid for eight weeks that the first three will remember. The next seven he loved to get on the floor with, help them roll over, play with toys or read to them. Raubbie use to come once a week for a day – Papa told me he missed him the last two months. Even though he told me he had to go to work, I put a pink shirt on him and told him he had a special visitor coming – Great-Lovebug #10, Penelope, just two weeks old. Pops loved holding her, kissing her forehead and playing with her fingers – so special for all!

We’re all blessed and treasure the memories for the extra 16 years of life Betsey’s kidney gave him! His last six years have been challenging! Carl was strong, stubborn at times, determined to the end to get out of his chair to do something. He knew everyone who came to visit and always came up with something to make them laugh!

Thank you, God, for all the Blessings, laughter, memories and love Carl put into everyone’s life – even if he didn’t personally know them! He was a TREASURE to us all, will be missed but know he’s in Heaven with his Best Friend – Dad again!

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