October 22, 1932 – October 20, 2025
Richard M. Carlson, age 92, a longtime resident of Wilmington and who resided after retirement in Moultonborough, NH, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on October 20, 2025.
Richard was born in Reading, MA, on October 22, 1932. He was the cherished son of the late Carl R. and Ethel E. (Anderson) Carlson. Raised and educated in Reading, MA. Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952 and trained as a hoisting engineer. He was honorably discharged in 1956, serving 2 years in Okinawa, Japan, during the Korean War.
In December of 1955, Richard married Sonja M. Christiansen and they resided in Louisiana until they moved to Wilmington, MA and raised their 5 daughters, they were married 35 years.
Richard worked as a hoisting engineer for Baldwin Crane in Wilmington, MA for 35 years and retired in 1995. After retiring, he resided in Moultonborough, NH, where he lived in the home he built. Richard’s childhood memories were always about Lake Winnipesaukee and his dream of retiring up there, he made a reality.
Richard was loved by many, and many friends that he met daily for breakfast at the Village Kitchen and coffee at 9:00 at Dunks, car shows, watch fob shows etc. He enjoyed taking his 1924 model T for a ride to get his daily coffee frappe at Skelly’s in Moultonborough, NH. He was a man of honor and his love for hit and miss engines and rebuilding broken down engines and bringing them back to life was astounding.
Richard looked forward to cooking every September 11th weekend at Henry D’s garage cooking eggs for over 100 guys before they took their antique cars and drove off to the Tyrod’s car show.
Richard was a grandfather and great-grandfather, and after raising 5 daughters, he took pride in knowing he had over 13 grandsons and 4 granddaughters. Richard was an avid animal lover and especially his cat Moxie and dog “Bubba.”
Richard will be remembered otherwise known as “Boompa” by all his kids and grandkids. His memories he created with hosting every Labor Day weekend, the annual family reunions with family, Cousins, and Aunts and Uncles and friends will always be cherished. Richard will always be remembered as the man that was always there to lend a helping hand or had the right tool to get the job done.
Richard was the beloved brother to the late John Carlson of Sandwich, NH, the late Nancy Cleary of North Hampton, NH. He was the cousin of Jean Carr from Reading, MA. He was the father of Susan Carlson, and Sally Carlson of Wilmington, Janet MacLean and (husband, Dennis) of N. Reading, Karen Baker and (husband, Stephen) of Wilmington and Sonja Halliday and (husband, Daniel) of Wilmington. Grandchildren, Ricky Nelson (wife Christine) Nathan Nelson, Stephen Baker, Jason Baker (wife Tabitha), John Baker (wife Morgan), Cherish Proctor, Brittany Proctor, Katelyn MacLean, Dillon Halliday (wife Caitlin) and Cody Halliday (wife Jessica). Great grandchildren, Nikolas, Lauren, Liam, Owen, Aurora, Bowden, Cody Jr. and Rowan.
Please join us in commemorating Richard’s life on Monday, October 27th, 2025, with visitation at Nichols Funeral home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rt.62), Wilmington, MA from 10am – 1pm with a service at 1pm interment with Military Honors will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Richard’s memory to the Town of Wilmington Veteran’s Services, 141 Shawsheen Ave., Wilmington, MA 01887.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com
