Obituary of Jeffrey P. Carstens

Jeffrey P. Carstens, 87, of Mystic, CT, beloved husband of Dale Gorham Carstens, died peacefully Sunday May 14, 2023 in Mystic. Born February 17, 1936 in Evanston, IL, son of the late Milton S. and Julia Hahn Carstens, he is predeceased by his sister, Nancy and survived by his brother, Mike. He lived in Glastonbury, CT for 60 years before moving to Mystic four years ago.

Jeff graduated from North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, IL. He went on to attend Princeton University where he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aeronautical engineering. At Princeton, Jeff found his lifelong passion for crew when he began rowing as an undergraduate and later coached the crew as a graduate student. Jeff went on to work for United Technologies Research Laboratory in East Hartford, CT for over 30 years. He dedicated his time there to designing windmills and managing the high-power industrial laser division. Later in life, Jeff’s love for community led him and Dale, with the help of friends and family, to start the Glastonbury High School Crew program where he served as coach for over a decade. Jeff also volunteered his time as a tutor at the A Better Chance (ABC) program as well as serving as President of the South Glastonbury Public Library.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Dale, two children Julie (Skip) Kamis & Virgil (Debo Katz) Carstens. He is predeceased by his two children Lucie Carstens Daly and Willett Noble Carstens. Affectionately known as Papa J, he cherished his five grandchildren: Meredith (Scott) Gelineau, Julia (Christopher) Gardner, Genna Daly, Lila (Georgios Sdonas) Daly, and Thomas Daly. He also had the privilege of becoming a great-grandfather to Grace and Oliver Gardner. 

A celebration of life will be held at 10am on Wednesday, May 24 along the river outside of the Glastonbury boathouse at 252 Welles Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the A Better Chance Program -1160 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury, CT 06033 (glastonburyabc.org) or the South Glastonbury Public Library – PO Box 169, South Glastonbury, CT 06073. (southglastonburylibrary.org). For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.