John Reynolds Carlson

John R. Carlson, 79 years old of Sandwich, NH, passed away unexpectedly in his home on October 13, 2024. He was born on July 14, 1945 in Winchester, Massachusetts to the late Carl Carlson and Ethel (Anderson) Carlson. He spent his childhood in Reading, Massachusetts.

John joined the United States Air Force after graduating from Reading High School, where he served for four years with distinction, including a tour at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. He was honorably discharged as an Airman 1st Class. After returning to civilian life, John followed the footsteps of his older brother Dick and joined the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4 as an apprentice. John went on to spend 34 years as a member of Local 4, operating cranes on job sites throughout New England.

John spent most of his summers in Moultonborough, New Hampshire at the family “camp” on Lake Winnipesaukee, which he eventually turned into a full-time home with his wife Debbie. His brother Dick and his sister Nancy both built homes on either side of the camp, so summers were always busy on the lake. Whether it was water skiing on Blackey Cove or taking people for a spin in his seaplane, John rarely sat still. And family always came first. John loved spending quality time with Debbie, his beloved daughter Krista, his siblings, nieces and nephews, and eventually his three granddaughters – Faith, Madeline & Ava. He loved nothing more than sitting down to a game of Whist or Cribbage with a cold Coors Light in his hand and his yellow labs at his feet.

A licensed pilot and a talented mechanic, John was always tinkering on engines or refurbishing antique cars. He would regularly pull a rusting Ford Model A from an old New England barn and meticulously return it to its original glory. He was also an ardent collector throughout his life. His wide-ranging collections included antique cars, WWII memorabilia, modern and antique firearms, coins, and license plates among a host of other things. He especially enjoyed sharing the history and significance of the items in his collections – even if they weren’t always true. A consummate jokester, John was famous for stumping friends and family with riddles, brainteasers and card tricks. On the rare occasion that someone solved a riddle, John would give his signature thumbs up and excitedly exclaim “Good One!”

Upon retirement, John and Debbie moved to Alma, Colorado where they built a home just outside of Breckenridge, high in the Rockies. Following Debbie’s passing, John returned to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and bought a house in Sandwich to be closer to family. In his later years, he always looked forward to his breakfasts with his brother Dick at The Village Kitchen and his weekly cribbage games with Krista.

John is survived by his daughter Krista Lee and her husband Thomas of North Andover, MA; brother Richard of Moultonborough, NH; and grandchildren Faith, Madeline and Ava. John will also be missed by his many nieces, nephews and friends.

John is pre-deceased by his wife Deborah (Morey) and his sister Nancy Cleary.

A Celebration of John’s life is scheduled for Sunday, November 24, 2024, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at North Andover VFW Post 2104, 32 Park St, North Andover, Massachusetts 01845. Family and friends are encouraged to wear their favorite flannel button-down shirt.

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