THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2008

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'One Of The Best'

Park Ridge, Maine East Icon Paul Carlson Passes Away

By TODD WESSELL

JOURNAL & TOPICS EDITOR

Paul Carlson, a lifelong resident of Park Ridge and a teacher at Maine East High School for 50 years until his retirement last year, died yesterday (Tuesday) following a battle with cancer. He was 73. According to Lawrence Friel of Nelson Funeral Home, funeral arrangements had not been finalized as of Tuesday afternoon.

"He was one of the best guys Park Ridge has every produced," said Friel. "He was a great man."

Carlson, known as a staunch Republican, was friends with many followers of local and national politics including many Democrats. He was a teacher and friend to Hilary Rodham Clinton when she lived with her family in Park Ridge in the 1960s. He also taught former state representative Penny Pullen who grew up in Park Ridge.

Last year, Carlson was honored for his 50 years of teaching at Maine East with a large reception attended by hundreds of friends and well-wishers. He taught history and government at Maine East. He retired from teaching in June of 2007. Besides his teaching, Carlson was a member of the Park Ridge Morning Kiwanis Club.