SAINT GEORGE - Richard A. “Dickie” Carlson, 65, passed away peacefully July 15, 2018 at the Sussman House after a brave two year battle with cancer. 

Born at Camp Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on December 23, 1952, he was the son of Wilfred and Amy Barholm Carlson. He was raised in Fitchburg, Mass., by his mother, Amy, and her sister, Nathalie Barholm. While spending summers in St. George, Maine, with his father, Wilfred Carlson, and stepmother Methyl, he learned the lobstering business and quickly picked up the trade. 

He graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1970 and moved to Maine shortly after to begin fishing full time. Dickie was a third generation lobsterman who fished out of Long Cove and the Tenants Harbor area for over 50 years. He took pride in his occupation and loved to talk about the industry to fellow fisherman and people “from away,” who were often filled with questions. 

While living in Fitchburg Dickie met his wife, Holly, in 1968 when they were just teens. They started dating, but shortly went in separate directions until meeting up again eight years later. They knew it was fate for them to reunite and soon Holly moved to Maine to be with the love of her life. They married on May 12, 1979 at the Ridge Church in Martinsville.

Holly’s mother described Dickie and Holly’s relationship “like a love story.” Dickie’s mother also described it as “fate” and so began a life together that lasted 41 years.  

He was a wonderful and loving husband and father, and a proud grandfather to his four grandchildren, Haylan, Harper, Cove, and Ivory.

He leaves behind his wife, Holly Moeckel Carlson; his daughter, Crystal; son Sean and his fiancée Ali James; sister Wanda Ausplund; brothers, Dale and Brice; his brothers-in-law, Robert and Timmy Moeckel and their wives Tina and Debbie; his sister in-law Lisa Cote and her husband Brian; his friend/sternman Basil Robinson; his childhood friend Paul Lombardo, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his father Wilfred, stepmother Methyl, mother Amy, aunt Nathalie, and his cousins Billy Matesowicz and Stanley Carlson who he thought of as brothers.

Dickie will be sorely missed by his family and friends. 

Please join his family for a celebration of Dickie’s life, Saturday July 28, at 2 p.m. at the Harbor Light Church, 78 Main Street, Rockland Maine, with reception to follow at the church. Any and all donations can be made to the Sussman House, 40 Anchor Drive, Rockport, Maine 04856. 

To share a memory or condolence with Dickie’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.  

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.