Carl George Thoelecke
May 4, 1925-June 14, 2017
Carl Thoelecke died peacefully at the Terra Linda Christian Homes. He was 92.
Carl was born to Stanley and Louise (Kubiak) Thoelecke. He joined his sister Nina and his brother Leonard. The family soon moved to their home in Corte Madera where Carl attended LCM school. There at the age of 9, he met his only love and future wife, Sylvia R. Granucci.
Carl attended and graduated from Tamalpias High school, riding the Tam “Special” train each day with the same group of kids he went through elementary school with. He was active in sports and did well academically. His quick wit and desire to learn, became characteristics he would be known for throughout his life. Carl remained close to many of his friends from the LCM and Tam days for the rest of his life. He studied printmaking, like his brother and planned to work in the print industry, marry his sweetheart, and start a family.
But World War II came, and everyone’s plans were abruptly changed. Carl was drafted at 18 and served in the Navy. He had never left his Mt. Tam until he became a hospital corpsman. Before he knew it, he was off to San Diego, Hawaii and the Enewetak Atoll. Carl was at the battle of Iwo Jima and worked on a hospital ship, helping the wounded until the battle ended.
Carl came back from the war on December 23 1945 and married Sylvia 6 days later. They would be married 71 years.
Carl and Sylvia had 2 sons, John and Paul. In 1959 they adopted a little girl Maria. Two years later, they adopted their second daughter, Suzanne and move to Kentfield in 1961.
Carl always put his family first. He was a Boy Scout troop leader, Troop 46. He taught kids how to build things, how to camp, how to be good citizens and how to work hard. He took great pride in his 8 years as Troop leader.
His career was in the printing industry and after 63 years, he retired.
In his later years Carl spent his time hiking the hills of Marin county and even summited the peak of Mt. Whitney at the age of 62. In 1991 Carl and Sylvia joined Marin Open space. They were both dedicated to conservation and the environment. Carl was instrumental in the effort to save King mountain from development. They later formed a volunteer group called the Green Gorillas that would forever be the stewards of their beloved King mountain.
Carl was forever the activist and protester. In his 40s he marched for the rights of migrants with Cesar Chavez, in his 50s he walked the picket lines for his union and in his 60s and 70s he marched for peace and the environment.
Over the past 2 years he had been counted out many times by doctors but he always rallied and came back with the wit and humor he was known for. His last few weeks were too much for him to come back from and he died the morning after he received Last Rights.
Carl was preceded in death by his daughter, Maria. He is survived by his wife Sylvia R Thoelecke and his children John (Elza), Paul (Lenora) Thoelecke, Suzanne (Doug) Baird. His grandchildren: Heather, Nathan, Kevin, Aaron (Sarah) and Jasmine Thoelecke. His great grandchildren: Helen and Arthur Thoelecke. Carl is also survived by his sisterin, law Leona Thoelecke.
Memorial service will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 114 King St. Larkspur CA, 94939, July 10th at 10:30am.
The Tholelcke family would like to thank Hospice by the Bay and the staff at Terra Linda Christian Homes. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Vincent de Paul or Hospice by the Bay would be appreciated.