Charles Roger Lindahl, Sr., 74, of Guilford, formerly of Madison, died surrounded by his wife and family on June 24, after losing his hard fought battle with cancer. He was the husband of Patricia Blake Lindahl, whom he married on Aug. 4, 1990. He was the proud father of his four children, Terri, Chuck, Jacqueline, and Christine.

Roger was born in New Britain on Oct. 1, 1937, the second born son of the late Axel Harry Lindahl and Mary Fuller Lindahl. He attended Westbrook High School and joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17. A member of the 82nd Airborne Division, he was a dedicated paratrooper in Germany and was proud of the 53 jumps he made as a paratrooper.

After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1958, Roger returned home to Westbrook and, in 1959, married Sally Collins of Guilford who is the mother of his children.

Roger became very well known in Madison for Lindahl Tree Services and served as its tree warden. He was also a long time veteran of Madison Hose Company No. 1.

Roger had worked for many years for Madison Oil Company and thereafter for Davis Realty as its property manager. Ever the soldier, he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He also belonged to the Westbrook and Branford ELKS.

Roger’s passion in life centered on antiques – the quest for authentic American pieces and their sale. His shop, the Guilford Emporium, was a popular place in the antique world, and after his marriage, he and his wife established Madison Country, which still flourishes at Grass Island Market in Guilford.

Roger will be remembered with great fondness by his family.

Besides his wife, Roger is survived by his daughter, Teresa Lindahl-Castro and her husband Tom of Laurel Springs, New Jersey; his son, Charles (Chuck) Roger Lindahl Jr. and his wife Lynn of Madison; his daughter, Jacqueline Lindahl Pierson and her husband Chris of Southborough, Massachusetts; and Christine Lindahl Doherty of Madison. His legacy is his wonderful grandchildren, Justin, Cassi, and Dylan Lindahl of Madison; Sean and Chloe Pierson of Southborough, Massachusetts, and Caroline and Nicolette Doherty of Madison. He is also survived by his sister, Elaine Wallace of Apopka, Florida; his brother Raymond and his wife Marilyn of Old Saybrook; his sister Shirley and her husband Roger Clapp of Clinton; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his older brother, Harry Lindahl of Westbrook.

A memorial mass was held on June 29 at St. Margaret Church in Madison. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name may be made to Madison Hose Company or to Connecticut Hospice.