Carleton Eichelberg

He was born on September 20, 1929 to Albert and Lucille (Fielding) Eichelberg. After graduating from NFA in 1947 he enrolled in New London Business College and graduated with an associate’s degree in business. In 1948 he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and on June 30, 1951 he married his high school sweetheart Phyllis Martin.

Carleton volunteered for active duty in 1952 and graduated from Submarine School at Groton; he then served on the USS Toro during the Korean War. He worked for various contractors as a carpenter, including Electric Boat. In 1963 he transferred to EB’s purchasing department. After he left EB in 1977 he went to work as a construction engineer for the Water Pollution Control Authority in Waterford and stayed there until he retired in 1994.

Carleton was a member and Sagamore of the Mohegan Tribe and served as chairman of the Council of Elders until 1999. During his tenure on the Council he visited many Indian reservations. Carleton had a great love of history and one of his most memorable experiences was his visit to the Navajo Code Talkers Memorial.

He served as President of the Montville High School Athletic Booster Club, spent 7 years with the Babe Ruth League and served on one of Montville’s school building committees.

He was a member of the Mohegan Congregational Church and served as the Church Council moderator and deacon. He was a member of the Montville Polish Club, Oxoboxo Lodge of Masons and American Legion.

He joined the Montville Lions Club in 1972 and served as Secretary and President of the Montville club, Zone Chairman, Regional Chairman, District Governor, and Multiple District Council Chairman. During his rewarding career as a Lion he also served on many of the club’s committees. He received the International President Leadership Award, the Knight of the Blind Award, and Lion’s Club International Melvin Jones Award.

Carleton’s family includes his wife of 63 years, Phyllis (Martin) Eichelberg of Uncasville, one son, Kurt and his wife Ruth Ann, of Gales Ferry; one daughter, Sandy Eichelberg, and her husband Ron Benedict, of Uncasville; three grandchildren, Kyle, Kirsten and David Eichelberg; several nieces and nephews and many friends. He was predeceased by his brother Everett Eichelberg.

His interests included hunting, fishing, gardening, golfing, woodworking, and traveling with his wife and family. He was a founding member of the Cochegan Bowmen Archery Club and served as president.

He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees, New York Giants, UCONN Husky Men and Women’s basketball teams and Connecticut Sun basketball team.

Carleton was very devoted to his family and attended countless baseball, football and basketball games, horse shows and concerts to support family activities.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jorge Dabdoub for his wonderful care. Many thanks also to the nurses at Backus Hospital and to the entire staff of Hospice Care Southeastern Connecticut. We are also grateful for the Interim Health Care aides.

Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2015 at the Montville Funeral Home of Church and Allen, 53 Norwich New London Tpke., Uncasville. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Mohegan Congregational Church, Uncasville. Burial will follow at the Comstock Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Center of the Blind, 120 Broad St., New London, CT 06320 or to Center for Hospice Care Southeastern Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360. Condolence messages may be left at Mr. Eichelberg’s memorial page at www.montvillefuneralhome.com.

Carleton lived by the Lions’ motto, “We Serve” and he believed that public service had many rewards. As he recently told his family “I have had an active life which enabled me to make many, many friends both here in Montville and throughout the U.S. and Canada. As I grow older I like to tell myself to live every day and give and get as much out of the day as possible so that the day isn’t wasted. You never know when that will be your last day.”