Gustav "Gus" P. Carlson, Sr., 91, of Southbury, died Thursday November 4, 2010 in Pennsylvania. He was the husband of the late Marie Farrington Carlson.
Mr. Carlson was born February 19, 1919 in Port Arthur Canada, son of the late Philip W. and Anna (Erickson) Carlson. He grew up in Bridgeport and attended Harding High School. He became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States and joined the US Army in December 1942. He was in the tank battalion and drove an ambulance while in Europe. When WWII ended, he received an honorable discharge in November 1945. He was always proud of his service to his country. He was a lifetime, active member of the VFW Post 7788 in Devon, Ct.
Mr. Carlson had worked for the Sun Oil Company in Bridgeport for 30 years. He received safe driving awards every year for the 25 years he drove gasoline tankers without any accidents. He retired from SUNOCO in 1975 after serving 5 years as a supervisor.
He and his late wife, Marie, had a lifetime dream of becoming lakefront property owners. After more than 16 years of marriage, they moved into a development in Stratford, Ct. The previous owners had left a set of oars in the shed. When Mr. Carlson discovered the oars, he exclaimed, "Marie, we're on our way!" When he retired in 1975, he purchased their dream property in Southbury on Lake Zoar. He lived there until December 2007 when he moved to Pennsylvania with his daughter and her family.
His favorite pastime was having family and friends together to enjoy picnics and boat rides with him in the summer and card games and watching the ice fishing and skating on the lake in the winter. He was bald for most of his life and enjoyed the reaction he sparked in others when, after introducing himself, he'd candidly say, "you can call me Curley".
He is survived by a son Gustav P. Carlson, Jr. of South Carolina, two daughters, Judith Tartaglia of Pennsylvania and Patricia Pategas of Iowa, eight grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter. He was the oldest of five brothers. He is survived by 3 of his brothers, Carl Carlson of Pompano Beach, FL, James Carlson of Las Vegas, NV and Alfred Carlson of Ansonia as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 1 brother, William Carlson.

Memorials: Memorial contributions can be made to VA Connecticut Healthcare SystemWest Haven Campus ( VACT ) Voluntary Service (135) 950 Campbell Ave. West Haven, CT 06516.

Cemetery: Pine Hill Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Services: A service will be held on Saturday at 10: 30 at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery, Southbury.

Visitation: Visitation will be held on Saturday November 13th at the Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 235 Main St. North, from 9 - 10: 30am.