Obituary of Carl Poehler

Carl Poehler, Jr., Past President of the New England Kite Flyers Associations, passed away on April 2, 2014 at the age of 93. Carl was born in Everett the son of the late Carl Poehler, a German immigrant, and Josephine Poehler, a Nova Scotian immigrant He was a graduate of Everett High School and Wentworth Institute, where he studied architecture. He worked as a mechanical draftsman for a time, before he chose to enlist in the Army Air Corps to fight in World War II. He was assigned to the 3028th Army Air Forces Air Base Unit and rose to the rank of sergeant. He was the recipient of the American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He returned to civilian life where he worked as an architect. He worked for almost 30 years for Jones and Sons, in Melrose. He designed commercial and residential properties, with much of his time spent on neighborhood banks. He spent his last ten years of work with the Boston Housing Authority working on new construction and rehabilitation projects. Carl was truly part of what Tom Brokaw termed, “The Greatest Generation.” He grew up with the deprivation of the Great Depression, fought for his country during World War II, revived the US economy, and believed in doing something because it was “the right thing to do.” Living without as a child, he appreciated every dollar he earned and did not want to waste his earning on self-indulgencies. He brought a family together, giving them a welcoming home in Hamilton. He instilled the values of hard work, self-reliance, and how to be a good provider for your family. Carl had a great passion, kite flying. He didn’t believe in store bought kites, but rather hand sculptured kites, that were not only intricate, elaborate, but pieces of artwork that were displayed in the sky. He served as president of the New England and National Kite Flyers Association. He travelled all over the United States and the World promoting kite flying. He flew and displayed his kites in Europe, Japan, Egypt, and even Tiananmen Square in China. He has had a number of his creations featured in museums around the country. It was a great joy for Carl not only flying his kites, but watching and listening to both children and adults who were mesmerized by his flying artworks. Carl was the loving father of Peggy Laroche & her husband Ronald of Seabrook, NH, William & his wife Eileen of Burlington, Dean of Lynn, Eric & his wife Kathleen of Tisbury. He was predeceased by his siblings; Dorothy Greenlaw, Marion Ambrose, Phyllis Cummings, Virginia Poehler, and Bernice Brown. He was the very proud grandfather of Larry Douglas, III, Matthew Douglas, Amy Poehler, Greg Poehler, and Matthew Woods. He was the great grandfather of Taylor, Kameron, Emma, Joshua, Jesse, Jared, Jack, Archie, Abel, Ben, Charlie, and Lily. He was the great great grandfather of Adalyn. Funeral services will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34/95, Woburn side) on Friday, April 11 at 9:30 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Glenwood Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Carl’s name may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 North St., Haverhill, MA 018380 or People Helping People, P.O. Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803.