Clifford R . Carlson, 78 , lifelong resident of Middletown, died Monday , July 31 , 2017 at Apple Rehabilitation Center in Middletown, CT . He is survived by his wife of 58 wonderful years , Delores (Germano) Carlson . He was born on December 22, 1938 in Middletown , CT son of the late Raymond Carlson and Minnie (Ehlers) . Cliff graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1957 and attended Vinal Technical High School where he further developed his love of carpentry . He started working for The Institute of Living , Hartford , CT and Orange Home Improvements . He went on to own and operate Carlsons ' Home Improvements for nearly 50 years. During retirement Cliff worked as a l ocal handyman.

Besides his wife , Cliff is survived by his sister Lorraine Albanese of Meriden , CT ; daughter Cheryl and her husband Raymond Jansak of Higganum , CT ; and a son Wayne Carlson and his wife Lori of Cromwell , CT ; along with grandchildren Jason Carlson Jansak and his fiance Paiten Melanson ; Sara Jansak; April (McLeod) and her husband Casey of Cromwell , CT ; Nicole (Castelli) and husband Chris of Wallingford , CT ; and Jennifer (Sauers) and husband Brett of Lynchburg , VA ; and his first great grandson Asher Fox McLeod. He also leaves behind his cat Boo Boo . His legacy , besides his family , are the many master carpenter structures , from additions to entire houses including building the house that his daughter and son-in-law live in . He always enjoyed his cheeseburgers and vanilla shakes and his favorite candy, jelly beans . Mr . Carlsons ' family would like to express their gratitude to the caregivers at Middlesex Hospital and Apple Rehabilitation Center in Middletown , especially Angel , his favorite nurse .

Services will be held on Friday , August 4 , 2017 at D ' Angelo Funeral Home , 22 South Main Street , Middletown , CT between the hours of 5 and 7pm .

Those who wish to make donations may do so to COPD Foundation , 641 S Street NW , Washington , DC 20001 or COPDFoundationorg . on Cliffs behalf .