RIVERSIDE, R.I. — Carl Russell Toothaker, 101, husband of the late Carolyn L. (Drake) Toothaker, died peacefully on Feb. 22, 2019 at the Philip Hulitar Center in Providence.
Mr. Toothaker is survived by his loving sons, Robert C. Toothaker, David B. Toothaker and Barry C. Toothaker; loving daughters-in-law, Jeanette, Debby and Susanne; his six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Carl was born in South Portland, Maine on Sept. 6, 1917, the son of the late Charles L. and Harriett (Chick) Toothaker. He was educated in Gardiner High School, Gardiner, Maine and graduated in 1939 from the University of Maine with a degree in mechanical engineering. He held a professional engineer’s license in Connecticut for many years. He also resided in Woodbridge, Conn. and Pemaquid Trail, New Harbor, Maine. Although his final years were in Rhode Island, his heart always belonged to the state of Maine.
Mr. Toothaker was active in various youth and community activities in Naugatuck, Conn. at the YMCA and P.T.A., and was a member of the Central Connecticut Chapter of AIPE. He participated in Boy Scout activities of Quinnipiac Council, served on the Town of Bethany Board of Education and was board chairman from 1958 to 1963, and was chairman of the Bethany School Building Committee in 1956.
Carl was a director of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce from 1966 to 1969, director of the Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce and served as a member of the University of Maine Council of the Alumni Association. He also served as a director of The Naugatuck Savings Bank, director of the Naugatuck Chapter of the American Red Cross and was an Advisory Board member to the Naugatuck branch of the Colonial Bank and Trust.
Mr. Toothaker was associated with Uniroyal, Inc. since his graduation, where he served as a project engineer until 1945 when he assumed responsibilities as plant manager for the Naugatuck Footwear Plant. In 1963, he transferred to Providence as the factory manager of the Uniroyal facility. In 1969, he returned to Naugatuck, Conn. to once again assume responsibility as the factory manager of the Naugatuck Footwear Plant. From 1975 until his retirement in 1978, he served as vice president, manufacturing consumer division. Mr. Toothaker was a member of the Naugatuck Lodge #967, B.P.O. Elks and the University Club of Providence.
Funeral services and burial will be private. There are no calling hours, and arrangements have been entrusted to the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave., Naugatuck, CT 06770.
To honor Carl’s memory, contributions can be made to the University of Maine Foundation, 2 Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.buckmillerthurstonmengacci.com.
