Carl John Stasiunas

Carl John Stasiunas, age 79 of Nashville, passed away on September 1, 2024. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on February 15, 1945, Carl grew up in Stratford enjoying swimming in the Long Island Sound, eating New Haven-style pizza, and attending New York Yankees baseball with his father at the original Yankee Stadium. Carl graduated from Quinnipiac College and earned an MBA degree, then went on to proudly serve as Captain in the United States Air Force. The Air Force brought him to Tennessee where he met and married the love of his life, Renate, at First Lutheran Church in Nashville. Carl and Renate set down their roots in Nashville and raised their children, Eric and Kelly.

After working for the Tennessee Department of Tourism, Carl launched his own tour agency in 1979. With Flair Tours, Carl provided guided tours of Nashville and all its attractions for 45 years. He would sometimes take his two children on his tours, where they learned to love Nashville just as much as their father. Carl truly loved sharing his city with everyone.

Carl was a lifelong trumpet player, playing in local big bands The Establishment, Radio Daze, and The Moonlighters—his favorite songs to play were polkas. If Carl’s tour groups were lucky, they would see him jump onto the stage at a dinner theatre and play “Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White” with the house band.

If there was a Titans, Predators, or Sounds game happening, Carl was sure to be watching. He especially loved attending in person with his children, grandchildren, sister, and buddies, always making sure to have a beer and hot dog – “no ketchup!”.

Carl loved the outdoors, especially Percy Priest Lake, where he would walk the exercise trail and swim with his friends and family. He enjoyed bragging about “taking a dip” in early April or late October, when swimming was the last thing on anyone’s mind.

Carl was also a longtime member of First Lutheran Church and served many roles, including Church Council President, and trumpet player (of course) for special services. Later in life, Carl was an active member of American Legion Nashville Post 5 and served as Commander multiple times. He loved his country and was proud of military veterans.

Carl will be deeply missed. He loved his family and had a running joke that each was his favorite. Carl is survived by his favorite son Eric Stasiunas, his favorite daughter-in-law Karen, his favorite grandsons William and Eddie Stasiunas, his favorite daughter Kelly Darnell, his favorite son-in-law Patrick, his favorite granddaughters Elise and Adeline Darnell, his favorite sister Judy Jones, favorite nieces Lauren Dugger and Lisa Garrett and her husband David, as well as his favorite sister-in-law Eva Studwell and her husband Bill Doughty. In addition, he loved his four favorite cousins Joyce Toigo, Janet Discenza, Jon Krchnavy, and Daria Krchnavy. Carl has been preceded in passing by his wife Renate Beyer Stasiunas, father Carl P. Stasiunas, and mother Margaret Krchnavy Stasiunas.

Visitation will be held at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home Sunday, September 15th from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held on Monday, September 16th at 12 p.m. (noon) at First Lutheran Church (113 8th Ave S. Nashville). Memorial contributions may be made to WNPT (Nashville Public Television) or American Legion Nashville Post 5.