Carl R. Alton, Sr. passed away peacefully with loving family by his side on June 23, 2018 at the age of 74. He was born on August 17, 1943 in Helsinki, Finland. He immigrated to the United States on the S.S. Gripsholm with his mother, Annikki (Sihvo) and father, Kaarlo Anttila, arriving on May 19, 1948. The family changed their name from Anttila to Alton to be more Americanized.

Carl worked as an aircraft mechanic at Westchester County Airport where his passion for aviation began. He proudly served the United States of America as a Marine along with a year tour in Vietnam where he received a meritorious promotion to Sergeant. Thirteen missions completed in his CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter where he operated in the aerial gunner position.

He served the City of Stamford as a Police Officer for thirteen years. He excelled as an Accident and Arson Investigator and coined the phrase "sooner or later, we’re gonna get ya”. His work in the police department was "Real Fine”. He also was the Director of Emergency Management for the City where he actively made contributions to make the City a safer place. "Ron” didn’t stop there, in between City jobs he ran along with his wife, the successful Photo Video stores, which at one time were the largest in Fairfield County.

Carl, Sr. is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Victoria De-Carlo Alton, his mother Annikki Sihvo Alton, 3 children, Heather and husband Dan Carter; Jennifer and husband John Mihok; Carl, Jr. and wife Keri Alton. 6 grandchildren; Scott Carter, Daniel and wife Meagan Carter, Thomas, Tori, Luke and Joseph Mihok and 1 great-granddaughter Kinley Carter and his dedicated and loyal caregiver of 11 years, Patrick St. Paul. He was predeceased by his father Kaarlo Olivie Anttila (Alton), his aunt Aili Sihvo, an infant older brother Kaarlo, Jr. and an infant younger sister.

A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford at 9:50 AM on Thursday, June 28, 2018 for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Cecilia, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford. Interment will follow at St. John’s RC Cemetery, Darien. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made in Carl’s memory to St. Cecilia Church, Social Concerns, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905 or the Stamford Firefighter’s Burn Foundation, Stamford Fire Headquarters, 629 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Stamford, CT 06901.