James Carlson

Copake - James Carlson, 79, a lifelong resident of Copake died on Monday, June 17th at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, NY after years-long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

He was born December 9, 1933 in Copake, NY, the son of the late James F. and Lydia M. (Jensen) Carlson.

He was a graduate of Roeliff Jansen Central School, and went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in education from Boston University in 1955. He was honorably discharged from the U. S. Army after serving in Korea. While there he voluntarily taught English to Korean students.

He remained a lifelong student, studying Greek and German.

In December 1962 he was married to Meredith Dunbar. They traveled the world extensively and made many friends in Germany and Denmark.

James and Meredith operated yarn and needlecraft shops in Copake and Wappinger's Falls until 1989. Thereafter, they operated James Frames, a custom picture frame business, until retirement in 2000. Meredith predeceased him in 2004.

He never lost his keen sense of humor with quips, one-liners and intellectual repartee.

His interest in the culinary arts led to his elevation to the rank of "officer" in the Chaine des Rottisseurs, the oldest international wine and food society.

He is survived by his brother, Harry, Altamont, NY, nephews Jim Carlson, Williamsville, NY, Christopher, Scottsdale, AZ and nieces Susan Edwards, Altamont, NY and Tracey Dunbar, Pennsylvania.

A remembrance will be held 2 to 4 PM, Friday, June 28th at the Peck & Peck Funeral Home, 8063 NY Rt. 22, Copake, NY 12516. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 29th at St. John-in-the-Wilderness Episcopal Church, NY Rt. 344, Copake Falls, NY. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Parkinson's Disease Association or the American Cancer Society.

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