WILTON --- Clarence Allen Carlsen, 77, of Northern Pines Rd., Wilton, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, at Glens Falls Hospital, following a brief illness.
Born Sept. 3, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Arne and Ruth (Fjeldskaar) Carlsen.
Following his graduation from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1952, Clarence enlisted in the United States Army March 27, 1953, and was honorably discharged March 18, 1955.
Clarence married Helen Ann Soper Jan. 21, 1956 in Copiague, Long Island.
He worked for Rist-Frost Associates in Glens Falls for 16 years before being self-employed.
Some of his enjoyments included going to church and Bible studies. He was a member of Pine Knolls Alliance Church in South Glens Falls for over 25 years. Clarence also enjoyed building model trains, hiking, and fishing, but above all, he loved spending time with his family.
Clarence's civic duties included Secretary of the Adirondack Mt. Club, Glens Falls Chapter, volunteer fireman in Pottersville for over ten years, Secretary of Pottersville Vol. Fire Dept. District Board of Commissioners, Secretary of the Town of Chester Planning Board, and Commissioner on the Glens Falls Zoning Board of Appeals. Clarence moved to South Glens Falls, where he was appointed also with the town of Moreau planning Board for a few years. For many years, he was a licensed real estate salesman for his friend, Dave Fox, in North Creek. The firm was known as Alpen Dorf Realty. He also became the Founding Father and First President of the latest chapter (at that time) of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE).
In addition to his parents, Clarence was predeceased by his daughter, Diane Page, and his son, Glen A. Carlsen.
Survivors include his beloved wife of over 56 years, Helen A. Carlsen of Wilton; two daughters, Linda Sperry and her husband, Rob, of Underhill Center, VT, Judy L. Williams and her husband, Robert, of Gettysburg, Penn.; son, Steven M. Carlsen and his wife, Sue, of Burlington, VT; 11 grandchildren, Amy (Gordon) Smith, Ian (April) Browne, Adam (Renee) Browne, Cindy Carlsen, Christopher Williams, Karen (Jerry) Groves, Catherine (Mark) Orleski, Joe Page, Imani Page, Timothy Page, and Rosalie Carlsen; 8 great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Katey, and Damien Smith, Allison, Samantha, and Gwendolyn Browne, Mason Groves, and Leonard Orleski; one sister, Gladys Carlsen Percival of Mt. Bethel, Penn.; two nieces, Karen and Debra Rodland; one nephew, Glenn Rodland; and several friends.
There will be no calling hours.
A memorial service will take place Friday, Aug. 24, at 11 a.m. at Pine Knolls Alliance Church, 614 Gansevoort Rd., South Glens Falls, with the Rev. Bill Church, pastor, officiating.
Burial will be private and at the convenience of Clarence's family at Pine View Cemetery, Quaker Rd., Queensbury.
Donations may be made, in loving memory of Clarence, to Wounded Warriors Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, www.woundedwarriorproject.org, or The Gideon's International, P. O. Box 140800, Nashville, Tenn. 37214-0800, www.gideons.org.
His family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Glens Falls Hospital and the Pines at Glens Falls for their care and support.
Condolences may be mailed to Maynard D. Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or e-mailed through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.