PRESQUE ISLE – Ernest “Mussie” C. Carlson, 75, passed away Oct. 15, 2005, at Kennebunk Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Kennebunk, in the arms of his children and close friends. Mussie was diagnosed with ALS in early August and the disease moved rapidly throughout his body. He stayed upbeat and positive to the very end. Mussie was born June 14, 1930, in Presque Isle, the son of Ernest A. and Jeannette (Nolan) Carlson. He attended the Presque Isle school systems graduating with honors and went on to attend the Aroostook State Teachers College and then to graduate from Ricker College in Houlton. During this same period, Mussie joined the Maine Army National Guard and retired from that after 23 years with the rank of master sergeant. Mussie was a postal mail carrier in Presque Isle for many years before being promoted to postmaster of the Presque Isle office. He retired in 1988 and moved to Westbrook to be closer to his children and grandchildren. He loved his grandchildren and never missed a soccer game or a school function the grandchildren were part of. Three years ago, Mussie moved to Arizona to spend his winters but always came home in the summer to spend time with the children. While in Arizona, he was an active volunteer for Paz de Cristo (a food bank program for the working poor) and also did some volunteering work at the resort he lived in. Mussie will be sadly missed by his son, David Carlson and his wife, Patti, of Scarborough; his daughter, Denise and her husband, Colin Robertson of Stratham, N.H.; grandchildren, Bradley and Janessa Carlson and Keiramarie Robertson; special friends, Edla and Stan Harting of Apache Junction, Ariz.; his brother, Keith Carlson and wife, Yvonne, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; brother Warren Carlson and his wife, Gail, of Presque Isle; sister, Sandra and her husband, Michael Mugler, of York Town, Va.; sister, Sheila Carlson of Westbrook; sister, Marrena and her husband, Fred Bustard, of Presque Isle; many caring friends in Arizona as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother and father, Ernest and Jeanette Carlson of Presque Isle; and his sister, Shirley Carlson. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle, with the Rev. Bob Blackstone officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be in the Fairmount Cemetery in Presque Isle. In lieu of flowers please make donations in his memory to Paz de Cristo, 424 Broadway, Mesa, AZ 85201. The family would like to thank the wonderful and gracious staff at Kennebunk Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Kennebunk, for their kindness, respect and compassionate treatment of their father. He spoke highly of everyone that helped him out.