Mr. Carl Gustaf Ek
Carl Gustav Ek a resident of East Haven died unexpectedly at home of April 19, 2013. Born on March 25, 1952, he was the son of the late Robert C. and Gladys Strandberg Ek. He graduated with Honors from East Haven High School in 1970. A member of the Yale University, class of 1974, he was a Yale Club of New Haven Scholar and the State of Connecticut Scholar. Carl's involvement in the Order of DeMolay is renowned throughout Connecticut and Internationally. He was a Past State Master Councilor of Connecticut DeMolay and an active member of DeMolay's International Supreme Council. A devoted member of the Masonic Fraternity, Carl was a Past Master of several Masonic Lodges in Connecticut, a Past District Deputy of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, a member of the Scottish and York Rite Bodies of Masonry and the Hejaz Grotto. Carl was a freelance writer, editor, photographer and advertising consultant. He was a member and Past President of the Yale Club of New Haven, Association of Yale Alumni Representative at Yale University and a member and Past president of the New Haven Rotary Club, which honored him as a Paul Harris Fellow. Carl was a Softball and Volleyball Umpire, who officiated at games at all levels. One of Carl's greatest joys came as he portrayed Santa Claus each year at holiday events. He brought wonderful smiles to the faces of many children. Carl was a good friend and will be greatly missed. He is survived by two cousins; Mrs. Karen Baker and Mrs. Sandy Hamlin. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Carl's life will be hosted by his friends on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 4:00 P.M. at the Hartog Activities Center - Masonicare at Ashlar Village, in Wallingford. Donations in Carl's memory can be made to The Connecticut DeMolay Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 8832, New Haven, CT 06532. Arrangements with BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden.
.If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds and instill into them just principles, we are then engraving that upon tablets which no time will efface, but will brighten and brighten to all eternity.. – A Daniel Webster quote I learned from my Uncle, Carl Ek. I love you, be at peace.
Brother Carl, you’ll be missed by many but most especially the young men of Region 1! They delighted in your humor, couldn’t wait for the next story and soared to new heights in their chapters thanks to your wisdom and kind words! You’ll never be forgotten and will always be remembered by all who have had the pleasure to shake your hand! RIP brother!
Carl – The Class of 1970 will be miss you. Thank you for all your hard work for the Town of East Haven. You gave so much of yourself.
Carl was a good friend to my father and a senior advisor to New Haven DeMolay when I was involved as a teenager. He was a great as an advisor and an even better friend. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him. Rest in Peace.
Carl was a true one of a kind, follow his own path individual. I first met Carl @ EHJHS circa 1966. He was hall monitor dressed in his trade mark white button down cardigan singing 50’s rock and blues tunes as we passed by. I also remember Carl @ EHHS in 1970 singing his creation .Mill River. ( to the tune of Moon River) over the PA system during morning announcements to celebrate Earth Day. He was the team manager and the .golden voice. of the Easties. When I was working on my degree program several years later, it was Carl who greeted me at his lodge in Fair Haven. Carl was always there with a warm handshake, big smile and words of encouragement. I can honestly say I never realized how significant Carl was until I grew older and realized the race for conformity wasn’t worth running. I wish I had appreciated Carl earlier because I was the loser for it. He was a great man, true gentleman and one of the greatest Easties I’ve met. God bless him!
Carl was such a fun guy. My sister, friends, and I would have a great time with him whenever our friend Paul would be playing in the area. I’ll always remember Carl singing along! He’ll be missed.
Carl you will be missed my friend God bless
Carl You will be missed. Your cheerful smile andthe warmth of your greeting could light up any room.
Carl you will certainly missed by us all, rest in Peace Ian L Hutchinson, GM Gran Lodge Simbolica de Espana
Carl, I will miss the times we spent together in our Masonic travels. Your wit, your ability to say the right thing to get people to relax when you were taking their photo, and the joy you brought to any gathering will all be missed. We were fortunate to have you for a while, and now the Celestial Lodge Above will be similarly enriched your presence. Requiescat in pace, my brother…
Carl, Our Masonic family has lost a good friend and brother. You will never be replaced and will live on in our memories and hearts. You touched our family in so many ways and your legacy will be remembered in our stories and traditions. May you rest in eternal peace knowing you were loved and will be missed.
Carl, we were good friends and close neighbors all through childhood and we shared some wonderful times together. You taught me every card game I know, and our marathon Monopoly games are a fun memory. Swimming in the pool camping out, hiking the woods, cookouts, it all made for a great childhood and I am blessed that you were there. God bless you and I will never forget you! With much love,
Carl, you made your mark on the hearts of many and although our memories of you may bring us sorrow for what is lost, may we always be thankful for the time spent with a man whose light shown so bright, it could only have been for a moment in time.
Carl, you truly loved life and lived it to the fullest. You were fearless and used your talents to enrich your life and those around you. Peace and blessings.
Carl, you were a great friend and Brother. This Master Mason and Senior Demolay will always remember your humor and mentoring. Your insight and your labors are an inspiration to us all.
Carl, you were my friend and brother both DeMolay and in Freemasonry. You lived respected and died regretted. May TSAOTU welcome you with His blessings. We will meet again. George L. Baldwin Senior DeMolay, DeMolay Supreme Council member, Freemason. Concord, NH
Carl, you were my friend and brother. I will always remember your smile and how you were always there for me. .My Go To Guy.. You will be missed but never forgotten.
Carl, you will be missed. Karaoke nights won’t be the same. *smiles* Carol Ciopryna Culmo
Carl, you will be surely missed by all the brothers that you had contact with. Your smile and knowledge of the craft will never be forgotten by all. Alas my brother.
Growing up on Bradley St in East Haven was quite memorable. We had lots of kids from my corner all the way down to Carl Ek’s house and then some. He really stood out as one who believed in who he was and the things he took part in. A very unusual guy. Perhaps as kids we didn’t understand Carl. He was different than many kids. But he was never afraid to be part of whatever he wanted to do. He liked to sing and had no problem with getting up on stage and taking on Sinatra’s .Strangers In The Night. in High School. He played Mr. Kirby in our play .You Can’t Take It With You.. And there were times that he would be poked fun at because he was just being himself. But how many people can accomplish what he did? It took guts to be as outgoing as he was, never caring about what others might say. And he was the first kid I ever knew who put stickers on his car stating that he was .For DeMolay.! You were one special guy Carl. You followed your dreams and won! Good for you man! Rest in Peace,
I remember Carl form Demolay in West Haven. I liked his outgoing personality. Also all of his contribution and time to Demolay are appreciated. He will be missed and it is sad that he died so young. My best wishes to his family and all who are grieving from his loss.
I wish I could get the leave to be there Carl you were my friend and like a second father to me I’ll never forget the things you taught me when I was growing up and I hope to see you again brother
My Brother, Carl. I will never forget all the laughs and fun times at DeMolay functions, and all the time we spent together at Grand Lodge and other places. You truly epitomize brotherhood in action. Farewell, my brother. In the Name of Our Grand Master of the Universe, +Rev. & W:. William E. Weisert, II DD.
RWB EK Carl, you are indeed a model of masonry! I noticed you at from the beginning of my masonic life while attending my first Masonic Education in 2006. You were always the .exemplar. mason from my perspective. I will strive to conduct myself as a mason in the style of you, Brother Carl, i.e. friendly, ever ready with good will and counsel, and of course humorous. Brother Carl, you were also indefatigable as you continued to serve the fraternity usefully until your untimely death. Well done, good and faithful brother! Enjoy the celestial lodge! Your life is not taken away, it is merely changed. Now I really have to behave because you are with me all the time!
To the family of Brother Carl, I extend my deepest sympathies on the passing of Carl. I received the e-mail today with the sad news,ad I’m greatly shocked. I have fond memories of my Masonic affiliation with Carl, and will surely miss him. He will not be forgotten. Res[ectfully, WB Robert J. Larsen PAGM,PM Pawleys Island, SC
We can already hear you singing with the angels up in Heaven. May they enjoy your voice and love as much as we all did. You will always be in our hearts. Fair Winds and Following Seas. Art and Linda Stauff
your voice, ideas and laughter will be greatly missed, Brother.
Your were a friend to all, and always a welcome sight. We will miss your wisdom, your laughter and your singing, but most of all, we will miss you.