Carl P. Cumming

Carl, age 81, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Donna of 37 years, four children (Dennis, Cheryl, Debra and Patricia), several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He will forever be remembered as a kind and generous man, full of laughter and love.

Carl was interested in all things automotive! He owned and worked on a 1939 Buick Roadmaster and a 1939 Packard 120. He and his wife, Donna would go to numerous antique car shows, including the “big one” at the Southbury training School where over 1000 cars were entered. They were often spotted around town driving an antique car: no “garage queens” here! His love of driving old cars was evident back in the days of the S.N.Y.R.A. (Southern New York Racing association) where he worked on and raced the stock car #36 at the Danbury Racetrack in the 1960’s.

Carl’s passion also included working on and racing motorcycles such as Bultaco and Kawasaki with his son, Dennis, in the 1970’s around the Southern New York “scrambles” racing circuit. He went on to traveling via a 750cc BMW touring bike with Donna to various destinations, including Nova Scotia, Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, among others, and from Connecticut to California on an epic 30-day, 7,000 mile trip of a lifetime!

A later hobby was go-karts. Carl raced at the Monroe oval clay track over a period of several years in the 1980’s and 90’s. He raced his kart with a 2-cylinder engine, always tinkering with it to get the best performance. After a couple of years of grueling physical “torture”, he invented suspension for the kart seat and was able to continue on in a much more comfortable ride!

His other interests included golf and bowling, both in leagues and with friends. He even toured the St. Andrew’s golf course in Scotland, and bowled in both Danbury and Brookfield. His fascination with vintage radios (he owned a 1940 Zenith, which worked beautifully, and restored one for the Packard!) and vintage car parts led to many a trip to flea markets in search of parts.

Carl was a member of the I.B.E.W. Local 420 while working as a lineman in the power company during the 1960’s-70’s, and had a very large interest in Nikola Tesla, “The Wizard of Electricity.” His father was an electrician, and more than likely jumpstarted his interest in this field.

Computers, whether programming or taking them apart, was another field where he excelled. He would build them from the ground up, as well as create complex programs for another power company later on in life.

Finally, he enjoyed various kinds of music such as Country, Big Band, and Rock & Roll, both at home and in concerts, and most of all, the Danny Morris Band who he knew personally and loved the most.

Carl always enjoyed family, good friends and meeting interesting people. He will be greatly missed for his inventive mind, among many other talents that he possessed and shared with all he knew.

In memory of Carl, please consider donating to Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, Furry Friends. Rather than sending any flowers, please plant a tree in Carl’s memory.