Sawtelle, Carl S.

Carl S. Sawtelle, Jr., 90, of Canton, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton on March 7, 2024.

Born Salvadore Carl Sottile, Jr. to the late Salvadore Carl Sottile, Sr. and Martha (Bellamecina) Sottile, he grew up in Dorchester where he met Thelma Ramsay, whom he married in 1950 and remained married to until her passing in 2014. The youngest of seven children, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II at the age of 17 and was stationed at the Citadel on the New London Submarine Base from 1944-1946.

After separating from the Coast Guard, he used funds provided by the GI Bill to put himself through college. He received a BA in psychology from Suffolk University in 1951 and a master’s degree in social work from Simmons School of Social Work in 1953. In 1953 he started his career as the first psychiatric social worker with an MSW to work at Taunton State Hospital, where he remained until his retirement.

Carl was dedicated to his work and helped hundreds of people find new lives beyond the walls of the hospital. During his tenure there, he initiated the movement toward licensing social workers and was the first in Massachusetts to receive his license, earning him the distinction of being the father of licensing and registration of social workers in the commonwealth.

A proud military veteran, he was a member of the Old Dorchester VFW Post 65, representing them in the Dorchester Day and Memorial Day parades with his brothers.

Carl was a devoted family man who especially enjoyed spending time with his large Italian family. He is predeceased by his brothers Paul, Sam and Frank Sawtelle and sisters Mary Donovan, Stella Crosby and Ellen Casagrande.

He is survived by Lisa J. Sawtelle of Canton and Tracy L. (Sawtelle) Bailey-Gates and her husband, Shawn D. Bailey-Gates, of Pocasset. Grandfather to Brian Bailey-Gates (wife Emily), Christopher Bailey-Gates and Michael Bailey-Gates, and great-grandfather to Connor Bailey-Gates.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, March 13, at the Congregational Church of Canton, followed by burial at Canton Corner Cemetery. Donations may be made in Carl’s name to the ASPCA or to an animal shelter of one’s choice. Arrangements by the Pushard Family Funeral Home, 210 Sherman Street, www.roache-pushard.com.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Mar 14 2024. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.