Obituary of Elmer Victor Carlson

Elmer Victor Carlson, 102, of Bemus Point, NY, passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa. Elmer was born on May 27, 1918 in Norwich, Pa., one of eight children of the late Victor Anton and Ada Olivia Sunborg Carlson, and attended schools in Lander, Pa and Jamestown. He was a veteran of the US Navy serving as a Boatswain's Mate on the USS Acubens in the South Pacific during World War II and honorably discharged in 1945. On May 27, 2018, NYS Senator Cathy Young presented a Legislative Resolution to the State Senate in honor of Elmer's 100th birthday and his military service. Elmer married Freda Anderson Carlson November 23, 1946. For more than 30 years he was employed at Dahlstrom Manufacturing and Watson Industries, where he was a skilled machinist and very adept at finding solutions to mechanical problems. In 1960, Elmer opened Carlson's BMW Sales & Service in Bemus Point, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 1980. He was most passionate and content touring around the country on his BMW motorcycles and had many fascinating stories he enjoyed sharing about his wonderful adventures. He was a life member of the VFW Post #53, American Legion Post #1286 and the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. He was preceded in death by his wife, Freda Carlson; son, David C. Carlson; four sisters: Edith (Ellis) Delahoy, Elsie (Roy) Pratt, Minnie (Arthur) Johnson and Selma (Edward) Robbins; three brothers: Harry (Esther) Carlson, Arvid (Lillian) Carlson and Arthur (Elsie) Carlson; and his friend of many years, Alberta Delahoy. Surviving are his daughter, Suzanne Vassallo of Akron, Ohio; grandchildren, Amanda Carlson and Brett Carlson, Kimberly Rebstock and Frank Vassallo III; great-grandchildren, Willow Carlson, Morgan and Erinn Rebstock, and Frank Vassallo IV; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend appreciation to Elmer's neighbors, Gordon and Sharon Scott for their kind and compassionate care over the years. A private family service will be held in the Lind Funeral Home, led by Pastor Gordon Robbins. Burial will be in Bemus Point Cemetery. Visitation will not be observed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of choice.