Wayne Richard Carlson, 66, of Princeton, New Jersey, passed away on October 8, 2024, after fighting the good fight.
As the middle child to Phyllis and Wayne Carlson, Wayne grew up in Schenectady, New York, playing football for Linton High School as a lineman, before being recruited to play for Rochester University. After graduating in 1985 with a Degree in Far East Asia History/International Relations, Wayne explored the world for a couple of years as a ship’s purser for Dolphin Cruise Lines, satisfying some of his God-given wanderlust.
Wayne eventually made port in Washington, DC, where he earned his MBA in Marketing at American University. Shortly thereafter, he made his way to Bristol Myers Squibb, where he began his career in global issues management once again scratching his itch to see the world. During his time with BMS he met his future wife of 29 years, Ellen Hoenig-Carlson (surviving), who gave him a chance at a first date on his fifth annual ask. They saw Pulp Fiction in the theater and the rest was history. In 1997, the duo started their family when their first son, Ethan Carlson, was born — quickly followed by the births of Asher and Zane Carlson.
A diligent lifelong student of world history, politics, and stoic philosophy, Wayne had a brilliant understanding of the world and loved to share his wisdom in the form of thoughtfully-crafted advice and opinions, with all those whose lives he touched. Wayne also had an eye for design and was an avid collector and restorer of historical cars, houses, and watches. He lived in a house that he himself designed, drove in a car he rebuilt, and was an avid proponent of love, charity, and the American Dream. A man of resolute character and unquestionable strength, Wayne constantly strove throughout his life to make the world a better place than when he found it — a rare endeavor which he believed to ultimately be the reason we were put on this Earth.
Wayne is preceded by Wayne Curtis Carlson and Phyllis Russell Carlson, and leaves behind his wife, Ellen Hoenig-Carlson; his three sons, Ethan, Asher (Ryan), and Zane (Kylee); his sister, Susan (Joe);, his brother, Richard (Jennifer); and nieces and nephews.
Services were held at Trinity Church, in Princeton, NJ, on Saturday, October 12, 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Wayne’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Tunnel to Towers, two organizations Wayne strongly believed in.