Martin R. Karlon

CHARLTON - Martin R. Karlon, 84, a longtime resident of Charlton, died at peace on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, at UMass Harrington Hospital in Southbridge after a battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy (Smith) Karlon of Charlton; two children, Marty Karlon and his wife, Dina, of Concord, N.H., and John Karlon and his wife, Wendy, of Bolton; a brother, Michael Karlon and his wife, Rhonda, of Millbury; a sister, Tina Rasku, of Worcester; five grandchildren; and ten nieces and nephews

Marty, as he was known to all, loved cooking, Cadillacs, vegetable gardening, playing pitch, tractors, napping on his couch, and being out and about, shooting the breeze with his large circle of friends.

He loved to drive, whether it was taking a friend to Boston for medical treatment, making a run to Western Mass. for 50 pounds of kielbasa and chicken thighs, or going on meandering Sunday drives with Nancy to Point Judith, R.I., the Niantic Book Barn, or whatever flea market they came across.

Marty was always on the lookout for a good deal, and never saw a pile of bricks, stone, wood, tools, catering supplies, or bulk food items that he wouldn’t find a use for “someday.”

He was a big fan of polka music and listened to polkas on the radio every weekend, often cranking up the volume (to the dismay of his wife).

Marty was born in Worcester on June 11, 1940, to the late Martin D. and Rose (Stoskus) Karlon.

He graduated in 1959 from the former St. Peter’s High school in Worcester, where he was a standout football player (fullback/linebacker) and drove a kick-ass 1940 Ford painted purple, with white running boards. Most importantly, he met Nancy at St. Peter’s.

Marty was a proud member of his beloved Singletary Rod and Gun Club in Oxford since 1955 and was an active member of the Charlton Beagle Club for decades.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1962-65, primarily at Fort Devens, and worked at Norton Company in Worcester for many years. He also ran a catering business on the side for nearly 50 years, providing affordable, quality food for weddings, funerals and charitable events.

 Funeral services will be private. A memorial event will be scheduled in mid-2025.