Fred Paul Carlage 2/7/1944-5/11/2026

Known for an exceptionally giving spirit that will carry on through the lifetimes of those who knew him, Fred Paul Carlage, 82, of Putnam, CT, died of natural causes on May 11th, 2026.

Fred was born in Putnam, Connecticut during the winter of 1944 to Frank P. Carlage and Helen F. (Reich) Carlage. He was the second of three children - younger brother to Dorothy H. (Carlage) Smolen and older brother to John M. Carlage.

Throughout his life, Fred held his family in high regard. He was proud of his large Polish family spread from the “Quiet Corner” of Connecticut to Hillsdale, New York. Their constant support and guidance shaped Fred into a caring and generous son, nephew and friend.

After graduation from Putnam High School in 1963, Fred enlisted in the United States Navy. After completing basic training in San Diego, California, his military career revolved around roles requiring elevated levels of trust and integrity. Fred served in both the Pacific Theater and throughout Europe, especially Spain. Spain was special to him, a place he spoke very highly of and felt very much at home.

By the end of 1968, Fred was most interested in returning home to start a family. Within a year, he met Geraldine L. Bellerose through life-long friends, Johnny and Linda Barylski. Excited to share a vision together, Fred, now an accountant, and “Gerri”, a few years out of nursing school, married on September 5th, 1970 at St. Mary’s Church in Putnam.

In June of 1971, the newlyweds welcomed their first child, John Paul. Two years later, Lauren Marie would join the family. The parents worked tirelessly to instill in their children strong catholic and kindhearted values.

Those values were passed down to Austin P. Wheeler, Fred’s only grandchild. Committed to supporting and guiding Austin as much as possible, the grandparents moved “right around the corner” to Clermont, Florida. Within their new community, residents rarely saw the two apart. Although known as quiet and reserved, Fred never missed a chance to beam with pride over his grandson.

Fred was very active in his church community. In addition to insisting his children attend St. Mary's school, Fred was a lay member of the church’s leadership. He operated a booth at the Circle of Fun for nearly a decade, raising funds for his parish. Understanding the importance of Putnam as a community, he helped establish Our Daily Bread, a local food bank that still operates today.

Fred is preceded in death by his wife Geraldine, his parents Frank and Helen, his younger brother John and nephew David Bellerose. Fred is survived by his children, his sister Dottie, nieces Karen Smolen and Kathryn Willard as well as nephews John Bellerose and Michael Smolen.

A service to celebrate the life of Fred P. Carlage will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery Spring of 2027.