Carlson Waite

Carlson A Waite, born March 16, 1942, passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family April 7, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti. His passing was due to complications that arose due an infection that led to multiple organ failure. He had been diagnosed with kidney disease and was on dialysis the past two years.

Carl is preceded in death by his father and mother, Alonzo and Irene Waite, and his brother, Daniel. He is survived by his wife, Judith, four children, Doreen Buttermore (ex-son in-law Frank), Christopher Waite (Chris Peila), Jeffrey (Lisa) Waite and Pamela (Adam) Gierczak, six grand children Jessica, Shayln, Allison, Andrew, Austin and Emily, one great-grandchild, Luke, and family furry children Cleek (his cat), Java Joe, Maxx, MooShu and Queenie. Special lifelong friends include Tom and Jackie Flattery, and Jim and Joy Babcock. He was especially fond of neighbors Kevin and Deanna Swan and their two boys, Derek and Corey. Also included in extended family is Jessica Shoner, close family friend of the Buttermore’s.

A special thank you to those who took extraordinary care of Dad:

· Daughter, Doreen Buttermore, with whom he lived along with her family for the past 25 years, and most recently, she took a leave from her job to care for Dad’s daily needs.

· Fresenius Medical Care in Brighton, MI, where for the past two years Dad endured kidney dialysis three times weekly. He was especially fond of Amy, Allison, Tina and Marsha.

· St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti, MI at which each person that managed Dad’s care during his last days did it with a gentle, kind, thoughtful, loving touch.

· Aquatic Center in Howell, MI, where for years Dad enjoyed water aerobics programs. He always found them to be especially nice to him. He just recently started doing some water exercises with his granddaughter Shalyn.

Some of Carl’s favorite things were going to the Howell Library; getting a healthy scoop of ice cream; and watching his grand kids grow. Hobbies were gardening, swimming, books on tape, canning, baking, cooking and traveling to visit his family.

He lived with his family in the 1960’s in Chicago, Illinois, and worked as an engineer. In the 1970’s he moved his family to Bear Lake, Michigan, where he and his wife raised their four children, and Carl owned his own drywall company. In the late 1980’s he was transferred to the Howell, Michigan, area where he continued as an engineer. He retired from engineering in 2007.

Carl was a family man through and through – funny, simple, gentle, very kind, and generous of spirit. He is described by a family elder, Jacky Tompkins, as “a man of strong faith.” In keeping with his wishes, a private family memorial will be held as he’s laid to rest in company of his ancestors at Oakgrove Cemetery in Manistee, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the family in care of Pamela Gierczak, 77 Hartsdale Rd, Rochester, NY 14622.

Thank you, Carl, Dad, Grandpa, Husband, Uncle, Friend and Neighbor, for sharing your beautiful soul with us these many, many years… You are forever in our hearts…