William George Carlson, 92 years of age, of Murrysville passed away peacefully with family by his side on December 9, 2018. “George” was born February 1, 1926 in Center Moriches, NY the son of the late Frederick and Genevieve (Harding) Carlson. He attended the public schools of Center Moriches, worked many hours in Roulstons General Store where his father was manager and after graduation served in WW II from 1944-46 as a medic in the United States Army.
His ship was stationed in both Germany and France and he received several medals for his outstanding service. After returning from the war in he worked briefly as a carpenter’s apprentice. In the fall of 1946, he enrolled at Alfred University in NY and received a Ceramic Engineering degree in 1950.
He met the love of his life in college, Phyllis (Tarbrake) Carlson and they married on June 12, 1949 at Phyllis’ family home in Arcade, NY. George worked at Westinghouse Technology Park in Churchhill, PA for 35 years, as a Ceramic Engineer in their Research & Development for Power Distribution, both as an engineer/scientist and as a manager. His innovation resulted in 13 patents that bear his name, including significant patents on lighting filaments for early sodium-vapor bulbs and large scale lightning surge arrestors in power distribution.
In the latter stages of his career he worked on large parallel fuel cell arrays for power generation. George was a wonderful husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great grandfather and will be deeply missed. He was active in both the Penn Hills and Murrysville communities as a boy scout leader, church trustee and choir member.
His children have fond memories of family camping vacations all over the United States and Canada, especially Mew Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park. He always attended his children’s school activities including basketball games and swim meets. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Phyllis, a brother, Frederick Carlson of Michigan, dear partner, Delores Deer of Monroeville, PA and beloved grandson, Tarkan Mentes.
George is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Audrey Carlson of Center Moriches, NY; 4 daughters, Dr. Janet Mentes and husband Levent of Irvine CA, Karen Carlson and husband, Alan Henry of Beach Lake, PA, Donna Bianchi and husband James of Covington, KY, Kathryn Jones and husband Scott of Cranberry Twp. , PA and a son, William G. Carlson, Jr. and wife Kathleen (Kelly) Carlson of Hopewell Jct. , NY; eight grandchildren, Dr. Alana (Henry) Rickard and husband Bart, Anthony Bianchi, Dylan Henry and wife Katy (Macon), Patrick Jones, Ryan Bianchi, Sarah Jones, Katelynn and Liam Carlson; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for George will be private with his family. Hart Funeral Home Inc., Murrysville entrusted with arrangements. www.
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