Carl B.S. Pedersen, 94, of Edison, passed away on June 23, 2015 at the Reformed Church Home in Old Bridge.  He was born on February 19, 1921, in Ugebølle, Denmark.  His mother was Swedish and his father was Danish.  The family immigrated to the United States in August, 1923 landing at New York's Ellis Island.  Carl and his family grew up in Perth Amboy, NJ.  Ultimately, Carl found his home in Edison, NJ.

He attended grade school then later Perth Amboy High School, graduating in 1938.  He was Vice President of his class and in later years organized several class reunions.  He then went on to Rutgers University prior to entering the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Cadet.  In January 1944, he was commissioned as Ensign.  During WW II, he flew 36 bombing missions with Navy Patrol Squadron #136, which was stationed in Attu in the Aleutian Islands.

After leaving the service, he was the first American pilot hired by Danish Airlines, now SAS.  His first flight with the airline was made in a converted B-176, which was known as "Shoo-Shoo Baby" during the war.  During his time with SAS, Carl flew passenger flights from Copenhagen, Denmark to New York and South America.

Upon return to Perth Amboy, NJ, Carl was hired as a pilot for the Flyer Tigers and Pan AM based in Newark, NJ.  In 1963, he served as a pilot with the FAA and flew for several of its "Operation Friendship Programs."  On occasion he piloted Santa Claus and reindeer to awaiting children's groups across the state.  Carl retired in 1975 after 18 years with the FAA.

Over his 94 years, Carl Pedersen has been a member and held several offices in many fraternal, community, and state organizations.  He was a 50-year Honorary Member of the American Legion, Clara Barton Post 324 in Edison, NJ.  For 30 years, he served as Post Chaplain.  He was a member of Raritan Lodge #61 F&AM, Lodge Lyckan #507, VASA Order of America, Danish Brotherhood Lodge #46 Thor, and was a founding member and first President of DANE (Danish Archive North East).  He was also a member of the Somerville Hangar of the Quiet Birdmen (QB's).

In past years, Carl was involved with the NJ Ethic Advisory Council, serving under four New Jersey Governors.  He was Master of Ceremonies for several Festivals held at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ.  He organized and directed several Scandinavian American programs at the Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ.  In 1981, Carl founded the "Raoul Wallenberg Commemorative Committee."  That same year, President Ronald Reagan made Wallenberg an honorary U.S. citizen in recognition of his rescue of many Jewish people during the war.

He was a lifelong member of St. Stephen Evangelical Church, Edison, NJ (formally of Perth Amboy).  It was here that he met and married his wife, Norma Sorensen, whom passed away in 2000.  At St. Stephen, Carl along with his wife, Norma, served as Chairman for the 100 ^th and 125 ^th Church Anniversary program.

He is survived by three nieces, Lynn Wirth, Carol Sorensen, and Nancy Paugh; two nephews, Keith and Allen Sorensen; two great-nephews, Christopher and Sean Wirth; and a brother-in-law, Gerald Sorensen.

Visitation will be Friday, June 26, 2015, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Flynn and Son Funeral Home, 23 Ford Avenue, Fords, NJ 08863.  Funeral services will begin Saturday at 9:30 am at the funeral home followed by a 10 am funeral service at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Edison.  Interment will follow in Clover Leaf Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Edison or the Reformed Church Home in Old Bridge.