Daniel "Poppy" Carlson

Daniel “Poppy” A. Carlson, 75, a resident of Milford, NH died at his home on May 24, 2022. He was born on March 2, 1947 in Everett, MA a son of the late Roy and Josephine (Biggi) Carlson. Dan worked as an Engineer for several companies throughout his career including Polaroid. He was part of an engineer team that designed parts for the lunar lander. Dan was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed skiing, hiking, camping, and biking. He was a talented woodworker who loved to sit in his chair and hand carve his projects while Star Trek played on his tv in the background. He spent most mornings at the Milford Diner, drinking coffee and chatting with friends and strangers alike. Dan loved to play pool with his friends and was always willing to drive someone home at the end of the night. He was lovingly referred to as Poppy by his family, friends, and all the neighborhood children who would visit him to draw and make art. Poppy climbed Mount Monadnock with all of his grandchildren by their fourth birthdays, taught them how to walk down a steep rock ledge and how to build a good fire. He had a thirst for knowledge and there wasn’t a topic of conversation that he wasn’t knowledgeable about. He was predeceased by his brother’s David and Robert Carlson, his step-daughter Michele Gaulden, and granddaughter Allison Whalon. He is survived by his grandchildren, Kristan and James Crow, Rachael and Bill Daley, Justin and Julie Whalon, Devon Gregory and Makayla Phillips; great-grandchildren Cailin, Aiden and Ava Crow, Cameron, Liam, Jameson, and Evelyn Daley, Holly, Quentin, and Amelia Whalon; and his niece and nephew Devon and Damon Carlson. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH 03055. A short funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of the funeral home.