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Carl John Osterberg, 80, of Medway, MA, died Monday, January 20, 2025, at the Milford Regional Medical Center after battling covid complicated by pre-existing conditions. He was the beloved husband of Denise M. (Lortie) Osterberg for 53 years, marrying on June 26, 1971.
Born in Newton, MA on September 4, 1944, he was the son of the late Arthur C. and Annabel P. (Ferguson) Osterberg. He grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School.
Carl proudly entered the Army in January 1962 and completed basic training at Fort Dix, NJ. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC, where he served for three years.
Following the completion of his military service, Carl was employed as a local delivery driver at Delaney Linen Service in Waltham, MA. He faithfully made the long drive to work, leaving at 3:30 A.M. Monday-Friday, until his retirement around 65 years of age.
Carl enjoyed working with his hands and amassed a collection of tools and machines that cluttered his garage and basement. With his rough hands, he was the original DIY guy, whether it be doing an oil change on his car, splitting wood for the stove, or helping his daughter build a contraption for her physics project. Despite his “blue collar” exterior, he was a man of many facets, including a love for history and helping others.
Carl was an avid historian and enjoyed collecting memorabilia, often attending postcard conventions, where he purchased and traded ephemera from decades past. He enjoyed learning about his own family history and sifted through pictures that had been handed down from family members over the years. He was known to visit local sites and museums and stump the docents, asking questions about obscure aspects of history, sometimes even making a correction to something said during the tour.
Carl was always willing to drop everything and come to the aid of someone in need, whether it was a stranded motorist or an elderly neighbor who needed assistance clearing a path through the snow. He helped others out of pure goodwill and never expected a thank you or recognition for his good deeds.
He was a true caregiver at heart. When his wife Denise re-entered the workplace when their daughter Beth was old enough to attend school, he cared for his daughters during the second shift. He spent time with his grandchildren when his daughters were working. He cared for ailing family members, especially his mother and brother Richard (“Dicky”). Whether it be family members, friends or neighbors, he was always available to lend a hand. When his wife of more than five decades began experiencing challenges with memory and difficulty completing more complex daily tasks, and was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, he became her faithful caregiver until his final days.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Lynn Midgette and her husband Dan of Gaithersburg, MD and Beth Odiembo of Pawtucket, RI, and three grandchildren, D’Andre “DJ” Midgette, Cierra Odiembo and Iska Odiembo.
Carl is also survived by his sister Eleanor Gilroy of California and was the brother of the late Richard Osterberg, Robert Osterberg and Nancy Wallace.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date, likely in the spring when the weather improves. Burial will take place privately at Oakland Cemetery in Medway.
Friends and family are asked to contribute memories and pictures gathered over the years to assemble a tribute book for Carl John Osterberg. The book will be a labor of love and create a lasting legacy to treasure for years to come. Please send words and pictures that capture the essence of Carl by email to memoriesofcarljohn@gmail.com or by text to (240) 801-7145.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Ginley Crowley Funeral Home, 3 Barber Street in Medway ginleyfuneralhomes.com
