Joel Carlson

Joel Allen Carlson, 88, of Linthicum, died Saturday, Nov. 22 at MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore.

The son of the late Walter and Mary Carlson, Joel was born Oct. 16, 1937, in Muskegon, Mich., where he was valedictorian at Muskegon Central Catholic High School (Class of 1956). He was an accomplished pianist and organist, having graduated from the prestigious Sherwood Music School. He was an altar server at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, and he had fond memories of summer work with his brother, Tom, at Coscarelli’s Concessions at Pere Marquette Park.

A beloved husband, father and grandfather, Joel received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Maryland. He married his loving wife of 53 years, Brigitte Both, on Sept. 16, 1972. Joel worked as a software engineer at Westinghouse Electric Corporation/Northrop Grumman Corporation for 32 years before retiring in 2003.

For 48 years, Joel and Brigitte resided in Linthicum, where they were longtime parishioners of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. There, Joel served as a lector and also participated in the church’s bible study and money ministry. Joel and Brigitte moved to the Charlestown Retirement Community in January 2023.

During his spare time, Joel voraciously studied Latin and Greek, and he closely followed University of Michigan athletics. He also watched the game show “Jeopardy!” on a regular basis, and he enjoyed crossword puzzles and card games.

Joel is survived by his wife, Brigitte; three sisters-in-law, Kay Carlson, of Muskegon, Mich., Maria Schmanske, of Morris Plains, N.J., and Ingeborg Hollaender, of Bad Ems, Germany; three children, Peter Carlson (Sara), of Olney, Lisa Ferraro (Joe), of New Market, and Paul Carlson (Caitlin), of Cincinnati; three nephews, Michael Schmanske, of Pittsburgh, and Ben and Chris Hollaender, of Germany; two grandchildren, Rebecca Carlson, of Olney, and Elena Ferraro, of New Market; and several close friends.

Joel was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward and Tom Carlson, of Muskegon, Mich.; and two brothers-in-law, Richard Schmanske, of Glenshaw, Pa., and Peter Hollaender, of Bad Ems, Germany.

Arrangements were by Gonce Funeral Service, Brooklyn Park. A 60-minute visitation will precede a Mass of Christian burial, which will take place at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1 at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Charlestown Retirement Community, Catonsville. The Rev. Leo Larrivee will preside. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, 6020 Ritchie Highway, Brooklyn Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests guests consider a donation be made in Joel Carlson's memory to EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network), a cause close to his heart. Contributions can be made online through the EWTN website, https://www.ewtn.com/ or by mail to 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210.

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