Carlton Edward “Carl” Meyers, 91, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of laughter, loyalty, friendship, and enough “Carlisms” to keep his family smiling for generations to come.

Carl was born on January 13, 1935, in Nashua, New Hampshire, and later moved to South Portland, Maine as a teenager. He graduated from South Portland High School with the Class of 1952, beginning a life defined by hard work, family devotion, and an easygoing spirit that made him impossible not to like.

In September 2021, Carl relocated to Sun City, Arizona to be closer to family, where he quickly did what he always seemed to do best — make friends everywhere he went. Even after the heartbreaking loss of his beloved wife Barbara in June 2023, Carl continued on with strength, humor, and resilience. Learning how to live without his dear bride was perhaps his greatest challenge, but with the support of family and many new Arizona friends, he continued to enjoy life and make the most of every day.

Carl and Barbara shared 67 wonderful years of marriage filled with travel, vacations, cribbage games, laughter, and countless memories together. Among Carl’s favorite memories were the many summers spent with family and friends at Sebago Lake, Maine — a place that always held a special spot in his heart.

Carl proudly served the South Portland Police Department for 25 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant before retiring in 1980. Though he never liked to brag about it, he once received commendation for rescuing a young man from drowning in a local pond during his service as a police officer. To Carl, it was simply part of doing the right thing.

After retirement, he stayed active with a few part-time jobs, but his favorite full-time occupations remained being a husband, father, grandfather, sports fan, storyteller, and professional dispenser of one-liners. A devoted Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics fan, Carl could often be found cheering, groaning, second-guessing referees, or delivering commentary that somehow sounded wiser than what the broadcasters were saying.

Carl was truly one of those rare people who seemed to have no enemies. Fun-loving, kindhearted, and endlessly approachable, he left people feeling better than when they found them. His family will forever treasure the many “Carlisms” he sprinkled into everyday life, including classics such as, “You’re not well, are ya?” and “Who’d have thunk it, said Peter Plunkett?” Along with many others too numerous — and probably too impossible — to fully document.

Carl was preceded in death by his beloved wife Barbara, who passed away in June of 2023; his son David Meyers, who passed away from cancer in November of 1980; and his brother Burton Meyers of Shelburne, New Hampshire, who passed away in 2020.

He is survived by his son Lary Meyers and wife Jamie of Surprise, Arizona; his grandsons Brett Meyers of Scottsdale, Arizona and Bryce Meyers of Mesa, Arizona; four great-grandchildren in Scottsdale, Arizona; and his niece Elaine Wood of Shelburne, New Hampshire.

A small family service will be held at Lakeview United Methodist Church in Sun City, Arizona. Carl’s remains will be laid to rest beside Barbara until the time comes for them both to be transported to Portland, Maine, where they will rest beside their son David following a private family graveside service.

In the end, Carl leaves behind what most people hope to: a family that adored him, friends who never forgot him, stories that will continue to be told, and a world made a little brighter simply because he was here.

And somewhere, surely, he’s already asking someone, “You’re not well, are ya?”