Carl Andrew Christianson, 91, died December 31, 2015 at Kendal-Crosslands, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania where he and his wife Marjorie have resided since 2003.
He was born February 18, 1924 in the Bronx, the son of Philip A. and Gladys Sophie (Nilson) Christianson and graduated from Brooklyn Polytechnic High School. He was married February 4, 1945 to Marjorie Louise Hellstom, the love of his life, at Christ Church in Oyster Bay.
At the time of their wedding, Carl was serving in the U.S. Navy and deployed soon after their marriage. Shortly after his return to New York after WWII, Carl and Marjorie made their home in Clifton, New Jersey, with their son Carl and celebrated the addition of sons, Robert Andrew, Thomas Edward and Ernest Philip to their family. Carl was employed by Federal Telecommunications Labs, while living in New Jersey. The family moved to Chester, Connecticut, in 1955 where they created a home along the Connecticut River. While there, Carl worked at Pratt Reed in Ivoryton, Connecticut, designing piano actions which were patented as well.
In 1960, Carl and family moved to Southold where they enjoyed family life on Cedar Beach. Carl was employed by Brookhaven National Lab until his retirement in 1989. At the pinnacle of his work life, Carl was heavily involved with the Isabel Project, traveling both nationally and internationally, often accompanied by Marjorie.
Carl and Marjorie enjoyed a rich retirement together, traveling and exploring much of the country and visiting friends and family along the way. Carl and Marjorie particularly enjoyed providing child care for all their grandchildren. They visited their college student grandchildren at their various campuses, enjoying all the details over a great meal.
Carl enjoyed many hobbies, some of which were sailing and maintaining his old wooden sailboat, model railroading, working on cars and just about any type of woodworking project. In recent years Carl and Marjorie enjoyed Country line dancing and Scottish dancing.
Carl is survived by his wife of nearly 71 years, Marjorie; three sons, Robert Christianson and wife Joan of Greenville, North Carolina, Thomas Christianson and his wife Beverly of New Suffolk, Ernest Christianson and his wife Kathleen of Essex Junction, Vermont as well as daughter-in-law Michaela Christianson of Woodland Park, Colorado. He was predeceased by his son, Carl Arthur Christianson. He was the grandfather to seven grandchildren, Andrew, Arthur, Heidi (Jordan), David, Damon, Shawn and Kyle Christianson and great-grandfather to Bethany and Natalie Jordan and Carl David, Oscar and Margaret Christianson. Carl was predeceased by sisters, Alma Beaman, Phyllis (Pratt) Koepke and Joan Matz and their spouses. Carl is survived by many cousins.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 6 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold beginning at 11 a.m. Remembrances will be shared at noon. Interment, with United States Navy honors, will follow at Presbyterian Cemetery in Southold.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carl’s memory to the American Cancer Society.