NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —  Gene Stewart Carlson, 84, of North Adams, MA, died at home on Friday, September 4, 2026. He was born in Bozeman, MT, to the late Roy & Eilleen (Laurenson) Carlson. His family moved to Miles City, MT, before Gene started school, and he spent the rest of his childhood there, graduating from Custer County District High School with the class of 1960. He was a multi-sport athlete growing up and continued his athletic career as an engineering student at Montana State College (now University). As a Bobcat, he helped bring the football team to its first ever bowl victory at the 1964 Camellia Bowl. He was then named as one out of the first cohort of recipients of the NCAA Player-Scholar Scholarships (now known as the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship program) in 1964, a prize which celebrated college football players who maintained elite academic standing while competing at a championship level.

After earning both his B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering, he completed basic training at Ft. Huachuca, served in the Army in South Korea as a 2nd Lieutenant, and then maintained airplane radar technologies for the US Air Force in Vietnam as a contractor with Sanders Associates. He was also a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

After moving to the Berkshires to work at General Electric, with whom he remained through various company mergers until the time of his retirement, he met North Adams native Justyna Steuer, then an administrator in the Southwest VT Supervisory Union and who would go on to teach Spanish at MCLA for decades before her early retirement in 2005. Gene & Justyna were wed in 1978 and remained happy together and dedicated to each other until Justyna’s death just shy of their 45th wedding anniversary in 2023.

Both together and individually, Gene and Justyna were active and prolific philanthropists in their communities, donating volunteer time and funding to many causes they were passionate about, including, but not limited to, the North Adams Historical Society (including the North Adams Museum of History and Science), North Adams Public Library, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, and Mill City Productions. In addition, he provided scholarships for dozens of local students to attend leadership development programs with a focus on community service, substance use prevention, and wellness promotion through the NH Teen Institute. He spent many years serving on the North Adams Conservation Commission and the Drury School Council, and dedicated further time to charitable and community giving as a member of the North Adams Elks Lodge #487. He and Justyna were honored to be named the 2019 Northern Berkshire Heroes by nbCC.

In his leisure time, Gene enjoyed puzzles and card games of all kinds, reading, spending time with his granddaughter, and traveling. He and Justyna loved driving and took at least one multi-week road trip each year to see different parts of the country and visit family and friends along the way, and he was a recreational pilot in his younger years. They were season ticket holders for both the North Adams Steeplecats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League and the Mac-Hadyn Theatre. While back pain sidelined some of his athletic interests, including golf and skiing, he maintained a love of walking, tennis, and gym fitness throughout his life.

He was a caring grandson, son, nephew, brother, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather. He loved family gatherings, and never seemed more comfortable and relaxed than when spending time with close and extended family from his Carlson and Root sides. He treasured his sisters and their families; his many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and his daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.

Gene is survived by his daughter, Marissa (Tara Johnson) Carlson of North Adams; his granddaughter Ksena Johnson of North Adams; his sisters Gail Price of Miles City, MT, and Ann Carlson of Boise, ID; three nieces & nephews and their families - Kelly (Cliff) Bird of Center, ND, Steve (Lori Tyner) Price of Miles City, MT, and Melody (Jeff) Mount of Livingston, MT - as well as many cousins across the country. He was predeceased by his wife, Justyna, brother-in-law Ray “Harry” Price, and his best friends since childhood, Don Gunther and Jim Elliot.

“As was your way, you kept your incredible generosity understated, but it deserves to be celebrated. You showed us that stoicism does not equal indifference, that quality time is often the best gift we can give each other, and that there is no one way to love. We love you and will miss you and Justyna in all the ways for all our days.”

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Gene will take place Tuesday September 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Homes- West Chapels, 521 West Main St, North Adams, MA. Burial will take place in the family plot in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours will take place Monday September 14, 2026 from 4-7 PM at Flynn & Dagnoli- West Chapels. Memorial donations may be made out to the North Adams Historical Society, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, or Mill City Productions. To add to the book of memories please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com