Obituary of Wayne Karl

Wayne F. Karl, the former Chief of the Noroton Heights Fire Department who dedicated his life to community service and raised four sons in the town of Darien, CT, died surrounded by family in Vero Beach, FL on December 19. He was 82. Mr. Karl was a man entirely without pretense, but over the course of his life he earned many lofty titles: chief, commodore, commissioner, fire marshal, justice of the peace and president. Mr. Karl joined the US Naval Reserves shortly after graduating from Darien High School in 1953 and served until he was honorably discharged in 1960. He first volunteered for the Noroton Heights Fire Department (NHFD) in 1961. It would become a life-long commitment. He became Assistant Chief in 1963 and in 1969, he was elected Chief, a position he held for ten consecutive years. He remained a passionate and active member of the NHFD long after stepping down as Chief in 1979. In 2012, the Connecticut State Fire Fighters Association presented Mr. Karl with a 50 Year Service Award to honor his half century as a dedicated fire fighter - all as a volunteer. He served as a Darien Fire Commissioner from 1969 to 1979 and as Fire Marshal and Deputy Fire Marshall from 1969 to 1991. Mr. Karl was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Darien for decades, serving as president in 1991. For most of his life, Mr. Karl was also an active member of the Darien Boat Club, which he joined in 1956. He held virtually every leadership position in the Club, serving as Commodore from 1983-85. In 1998, the Darien Chamber of Commerce recognized Mr. Karls service to the Darien community by naming him Citizen of the Year. The Darien Board of Selectman marked the occasion by proclaiming November 20, 1998 "Wayne Karl Day." The official proclamation listed some of Mr. Karls public deeds but added, "it should be noted that it is impossible to acknowledge all that Wayne has done for the community." Known for his charisma and his unfailing sense of humor, Mr. Karl had many passions, including gardening, NASCAR, sports cars, baseball, country music - and anything to do with his children or grandchildren. Mr. Karl was the proprietor and manager of Karls Auto Body in Stamford, a business founded by his father, James Karl in 1925. He often parked a tow truck parked in his driveway, ready to respond immediately to emergencies on Interstate 95 and throughout the area. Mr. Karl is survived by three of his sons: James Lawrence Karl, a practicing attorney in southwest Florida; Allan Frederick Karl, an adventurer, author and photographer known as Worldrider; and ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan David Karl and his wife, Maria. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Robert Stephen, Emily Jane, Anna Katherine and Christopher Aiden . The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Noroton Presbyterian Chapel, 2011 Post Road, Darien. Burial will follow with full Military Honors at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Noroton Heights Fire Department, 209 Noroton Avenue, Darien, CT 06820. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820