D. Jeffrey Karlson of Eastham Massachusetts, died on Saturday July 28th at age 70, from complications after receiving a lung transplant. His family is eternally grateful to the donor and to the family of the donor for their gift.
As a young man Jeffrey was an avid skier and surfer. He lived in Colorado working as a ski instructor and bar tender. Jeffrey had moved back to Cape Cod where he spent his summers growing up, to practice real estate, when he met Trisha.
Jeffrey and Trisha were married in 1981. Perhaps to the surprise of some, he quickly and easily embraced his role as husband and also as parent to Trisha’s three pre-teen children Alexandra, Jessica and Kevin. In 1983 Erik was born bringing yet more joy to their lives.
Over the years, Jeffrey built over 100 homes in the lower and outer Cape. His work spanned a large range from starter homes to multi-million-dollar waterfront properties.
Jeffrey was a person who lived very much in the present and was filled with love and happiness. He never spoke as if life would be better later or as if he was waiting for some point in the future to start enjoying himself. His only regret would have been leaving his loved ones too soon.
Jeffrey was a wonderful and loving grandparent to the six children of Alexandra, Jessica and Kevin, and he was more excited than ever about the recent birth of Erik’s daughter Elliot born in August of 2017. He also loved his dogs Freedom and Liberty and enjoyed taking them for walks each day. Jeffrey practiced yoga at Orleans Yoga and was deeply committed to it. He and Trisha enjoyed travel, Costa Rica being one of his favorite destinations.
Jeffrey was a very methodical person who found comfort in routines as well as hard work. He was passionate about his work in real estate and the homes he built. He was meticulous regarding the details of this work and while he may have driven some crazy, most who knew him came to understand and appreciate his unique, quirky and sweet nature and his incredible work ethic.
As a member of Jeffrey’s immediate family, you knew you had no bigger fan. His pride in family was limitless and he never hesitated to express his wonder at your latest accomplishment. At family gatherings Jeffrey enjoyed learning what everyone was up to and making plans to go boating on Pleasant Bay.
Jeffrey is survived by his wife of 37 years, Trisha Daly-Karlson and his children, Erik Karlson and his wife Jennifer Karlson, Alexandra Daly and her fiancé Michael Russo, Jessica Daly and her husband Sean O’Donnell, Kevin Daly and his wife Denise Daly., Grandchildren, Elliot Karlson, Nicholas and his wife Audrey and Christopher Prisco, Jake, Keegan and Galen Daly-O’Donnell, Danielle and husband Dominic Richard. Great Grandchildren, Adalind and Jordan Prisco, Jaxon and Kinsley Richard, Siblings, Butch Karlson and wife Barbara Oroza, Donna Karlson and husband Arthur Greif, Peter Karlson and wife Danielle deBenedictis and sister in law Jane King, wife of Jeffrey’s late brother, Michael Karlson. Jeffrey was pre-deceased by his parents, Andy and Wendy Karlson.
Visiting hours will be Tuesday, August 7th from 4-7PM at Nickerson Funeral Home, Orleans, MA. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 24th at 11am at The Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, donations in D. Jeffrey Karlson’s memory can be sent to MGH Lung Transplant Program, 55 Fruit Street, WHT 517, Boston MA 02114, attn: Lynn Wilcott. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com
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