When we think of a life truly well-lived, we often measure it not by grand accolades or distant milestones, but by the quiet, steady warmth a person brings to the people around them. For Carl John Colangelo, that warmth was a constant, guiding light for his family, a pillar of strength for his friends, and an enduring heartbeat for the community he held so dear.
Carl’s world centered on connection. Whether he was known as Carl, Honey, Daddy, Son, or Carlucci, he approached everyone he met with an open heart and a contagious smile. He had a rare and beautiful gift: when Carl spoke with you, you had his absolute, undivided attention because he genuinely cared.
A Pillar of the Community
Carl’s dedication to New Bedford and the people within it ran deep. For nearly 30 years, he poured his time and passion into the Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento and the Feast Committee, serving as a proud festeiro and honored president of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament in 2025. It was a labor of love that spanned decades, earning him lifelong friendships and cementing his role as a cherished local fixture. Beyond the feast grounds, he served on the Police Chief’s Advisory Board, always looking for ways to make his community a safer, better place.
A Devoted Family Man and Passionate Creator
At home and among friends, Carl’s vibrant energy took many forms. A man of endless curiosity and skill, he was an avid gardener, craftsman, and winemaker who loved working with his hands. Whether he was building a chicken coop, driving a tractor, growing a stunning garden, or teaching his daughters, Isabella and Mia, his parents’ cherished recipe for homemade holiday raviolis, Carl shared his passions generously.
His devotion to his family was matched only by his love for adventure and learning. A world traveler who visited many countries alongside his wife, Carolyn, Carl also earned his fourth-degree black belt in jiu-jitsu—training under the late Paul Guilbeaut and even bringing his daughters into the martial art from a young age—and most recently earned his contractor’s license to manage the construction of his family’s home.
A Legacy of Love
Carl lived with a perpetual desire to improve the lives of others. Generous to a fault, kind, respectful, and always looking for the good in people, he left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to cross his path.
Though his life was cut short too soon on October 6, 2026, the ripples of his kindness, his passion, and his boundless love will live on forever in the hearts of his family, his friends, and the community he shaped with his gentle hands and bright smile. He is deeply loved, and he will be missed every single day. A fund has been set up to help Carl’s daughters: https://digital.fidelity.com/prgw/digital/familygifting/mlgLandingPage?uuid=270c4fd64b634a3db0ea3279faac0ed1
