Obituary of Fred D. Carlage

Fred D. Carlage, 101, passed away peacefully on June, 1, 2018. Beloved husband of the late Esther (Conley) Carlage. Born in Union, CT, November 19, 1916 son of the late John and Sophie (Smolen) Carlage. Fred graduated from Putnam High School and attended Rhode Island College and the OSHA Institute in Chicago, IL.

Fred Served 4 ½ years in WWII initially, with the Army 191st tank battalion and later was transferred to the Air Force and attended numerous training schools throughout the country. Based in Australia with the 5th Air Force 380th bomb group Fred served as a Flight Navigator upon receiving dual commissions as a navigator and bombardier. Fred flew 47 combat missions and was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. Following his service he settled in Woodstock, CT and was active in several bands primarily with the Four Aces as a saxophone and clarinet player. Fred was a lifetime member of the American Legion and a communicant of Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England patriots fan, enjoyed hunting and fishing in his youth, especially enjoyed his time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his son Bruce Carlage and wife Michele, daughter Sharon Wojcik and companion Michael Staples, son Dean Carlage and wife Debra, six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by siblings Frank, Marie Bednarz and Elsie Ruda.

A calling hour will be Wednesday, June 6, 2018 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at the Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence Street, Putnam, CT, burial in St. Mary Cemetery with Military Honors. Share a memory at www.smithandwlkerfh.com