John Warren Carsten, 89, of Yonkers, New York passed away on November 11, 2012 after a yearlong battle with cancer.
In March of 1943 he was inducted into the U.S. Marine Corps. and served in the Department of Naval Engineering. While in the Marines, he attended Texas A&M University as part of his specialist training in aerial radio operations. He was sent to the Asiatic Pacific area for his tour of duty and was honorably discharged in December of 1944 with the rank of Sergeant Specialist in Aviation.
John began his thirty-seven year career with the City of New York Police Department in 1948. He worked in various capacities within the department but his last and favorite command was training recruits as a Sergeant at The Police Academy.
After retiring he discovered his passion for oil painting. He would patiently work on his technique for hours, honing his skills. Many of his works were donated to institutions that were dear to him. Inspired by the family pet, MacGregor, he began to devote time to painting portraits of dogs and was a featured artist contributor at the New York Presbyterian Hospital’s fundraising auction for their “Dogs on Call” pet therapy program.
John was a former member of The Racquet Club on Park Hill and a member of the New York Athletic Club. A gifted singer, he was a member of the Yonkers Male Glee Club.
As a humble, generous person of many talents and the pure embodiment of a true gentleman, he will be greatly missed by his family and those who were fortunate to have known him.
John is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Audrey Carsten of Yonkers; daughter and her spouse, Robyn Carsten-Kane and Charles Kane; and granddaughter Audrey O’Neil Kane of Louisville, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Wilma Carsten, his brother William Carsten, and most recently his daughter, Melanie Carsten.
Donations can be made in his memory to the pet therapy program “Dogs on Call” at New York Presbyterian Hospital by calling # 212-746-4936.