With sadness we share the news of the death of the Rev. Walter Carlson, 82, on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at his home in Somerset. Visitation will be held Friday, November 11, 4-8 PM at the Gleason Funeral Home, 1360 Hamilton Street in Somerset. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 12 at 11 AM at St. Luke’s Church, 73 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair. The family will begin greeting people at St. Luke's starting at 10 AM.
Walter was born on February 3, 1934 in Glen Ridge and lived in Washington, New Jersey, New York City, Fair Lawn, Wayne, and Verona before moving to Somerset four years ago. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1958 and then served our country faithfully in the United States Army as a specialist in intelligence from 1958 to 1959 and again from 1961 to 1962.
He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1967, completing his seminary work at The General Theological Seminary in New York City. He served as a parish priest in Episcopal churches in Pompton Lakes; Pittsfield, MA; Bayonne; Belvidere; and Fair Lawn.
After retiring from parish ministry in 1999, Walter continued to help others through his work as a supply priest and as a College Administrator at the Audrey Cohen College for Human Services and Education in New York. He spent his career counseling, supporting, and championing those who turned to him for guidance.
Walter enjoyed reading and music, particularly preferring classical, jazz, and big band music. He was a gifted painter and photographer and enjoyed attending the theatre as often as possible. Retirement freed him up to spend time with his grandchildren, and he spent countless hours on the sidelines of soccer games, softball tournaments, and cross-country matches.
Walter was predeceased by his brothers, Robert and David Carlson. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marlene Varga Carlson; their son David Carlson and his wife Lara Pennington; and their daughter Anne Finetto and her husband Todd. He is also survived by his sister, Lois Bowlby, and his five grandchildren, Devon, Paige, and Mackenzie Carlson, and Travis and Brody Finetto.
Condolences may be sent to Marlene Carlson at 11 Avalon Court, Somerset NJ 08873.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Walter's name to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org or to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
Good and gracious God, the light of the faithful and shepherd of souls, you sent your servant Walter to be a priest in your Church to feed your sheep with your word and to guide them by his example; give us the grace to keep the faith he taught and to follow in his footsteps. We entrust him into your unfailing mystery of Love and Hope through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
