Franklyn Walfrid Carlson

Franklyn Walfrid Carlson, Agriculturist and Businessman, one of New England’s largest Producers of Fresh Apple Cider dies at 79 at his family’s farm.

Franklyn Carlson, owner, and President of Carlson Orchards, died early Friday at his home in Harvard, MA surrounded by his family. Frank was a member of the “Class of 43”, a group of close friends who gathered often in commemoration of their shared birth year. He was a graduate of the Bromfield School in Harvard and attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he also served on their Board of Directors. He was an instrumental contributor to the fresh apple market in New England and served on the board of US Apple Association to protect the interests of the family farm and US apple growers. He spent his life advocating for buy local campaigns to support local farmers and was immensely respected in his field. He was a proud member of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and in 2017 won the prestigious John Ogonowski Member of the Year Award for distinguished service to the organization, agriculture, and community. He was an innovator and a visionary who was able to manage his own family business as well as support the prosperity of many others. He was at one point the single largest buyer of cider apples in New England which he used in his family’s special blend of fresh apple cider. He was a frequent visitor to the Chelsea Produce Market and a friend to many in the market.

Frank had a special relationship with Jamaica through his efforts on the board of the New England Apple Council. His need for seasonal farm workers led to the national and local development of the H2A program with the Government of Jamaica to protect the interests of both farmers and seasonal workers. Frank was proud of his efforts to support good well-paying seasonal work to Jamaican citizens. In return, many farms in the region have benefited from a joint venture that ensures safe working and living conditions for many hundreds of Jamaican workers. Many of those workers have a thirty plus year history with Carlson Orchards.

Frank was a trusted town elder of Harvard, MA and participated in the civic life of his hometown – at town hall, in the orchard, and in the town’s annual 4th of July parade. He was a friendly and inviting face to the many thousands of visitors who come to his farm each year to enjoy picking apples, peaches, blueberries, and raspberries in the most beautiful orchard in New England.

Franklyn was predeceased by his parents Walter and Eleanor Carlson and brother Robert. He is survived by his longtime partner Sheila Gates, his daughters Katie Carlson, Emily Carlson DuLac and husband Kurtis DuLac, his brother Bruce Carlson and sisters Hilda Carlson and Sandra Rowse, his stepdaughter Symantha Gates and husband David Weiher, his stepson Russell Gates and wife Sherri, his granddaughters Brynn DuLac, Sylvia Weiher, Megan Gates, and Caroline Gates.

Franklyn will be laid to rest during a private ceremony at Bellevue Cemetery, Harvard. A Celebration of Life will be held at Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Rd., Harvard, MA on Friday, May 5th from 3 – 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 6th from 1 – 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UMASS Cold Spring Orchard Research and Education Center via www.tinyurl.com/Cold-Spring-Orchard