Obituary of Arthur D. Carlson, Jr.

Arthur D. "Delm" Carlson, Jr., 87, of 33 Melvin Ave., Celoron died at 11:53 p.m. Monday (February 8, 2010) in WCA Hospital. He was born August 6, 1922 in Celoron, a son of the late Arthur D. and Ellen V. Olson Carlson, Sr. and served in the US Army during World War II from November 1942 to December 1945. Delm was employed in earlier years by the former Norquist Products and later by the former Maddox Table. Following the war, he also started Carlson's Boat Livery in Celoron which he then owned and operated for 60 years. He never referred to it as work but always called it his hobby. Through the years he rented boats, sold bait and docked many boats to countless people. Delm's community service included serving as Celoron Village Trustee from 1963 to 1964 and as Mayor from 1965 to 1967, 1969 to 1971 and 1979 to 1981. He will be remembered as one of the first village officials with vision and foresight for the betterment of the community, including the development of the Grove into a village park and moving the Village Office to its present location on the Boulevard to better serve the people. He completed a term as Town of Ellicott Supervisor during the 1970's and served as first chairman of the South Chautauqua Lake Sewer District. A member of the Herman Kent Post American Legion in Celoron, he also belonged to the Chautauqua Lake Fishing Association and enjoyed bowling, sponsoring many men's and women's bowling teams in leagues at the former Leisure and Satellite Lanes. Passionately concerned with the welfare of Chautauqua Lake, he was a co-founder of SOLE, Save Our Lake Environment. As an avid fisherman, Delm was said to be able to find and catch fish where there weren't any. Surviving are four daughters: Leslie (Roderick Robert) Carlson of North Dakota, Janice Newcomb and Tracey (John) Smith of Celoron, and Kim (Lenny) Ingrao of Jamestown; two sons: Steven A. (Linda) Carlson of Busti and Neil (Karen Zickgraf) Carlson of Frewsburg; sixteen grandchildren: Edward (Kelly) Jackson and Joanna (Joshua) Graves of Chicago, Jeran (David) Rekemeyer of Mason, WI, Janelle Newcomb of Celoron, Kelli Larson of Alabama, Jennifer (Aaron) Kier of Celoron, Nichole Larson and Tammy Ingrao of Lakewood, Laura Ingrao of Celoron, Sara Ingrao of Alabama, Angelo Ingrao of Jamestown, Shaun (Nadine) Smith of Kennedy, Erin Blake of Celoron, Elizabeth (Lee) Smith of Erie, PA, Jason (Julie) Carlson of Niobe and Geoffrey Carlson of Ashville; and fifteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Eggleston Carlson whom he married May 2, 1943 and who died December 16, 1999; a grandson-in-law, Tyler Blake who died January 4, 2010; three sisters: Lillian Backus, Alice Pierce and Janet Carlson; and two brothers: Laverne Carlson and Roger E. Carlson. The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Pastor Darrel T. Moen will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Celoron Fire Department, Celoron, NY 14720; or the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701.