Carl “Pappy” Sundstrom, 88, of Pottstown, husband of Barbara (Eck) Sundstrom, passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Phoenixville Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Pottstown on May 30, 1937, he was the son of the late Oscar Austin and Edna (Betz) Sundstrom.
Carl graduated from Pottstown High School in 1955. He was a foreman at Stanley G. Flagg until they closed in 1997. In his retirement, he also was a custodian at Grace Lutheran Church. Carl dedicated over 60 years of his life coaching the Pottstown Baby Steelers Junior Legion Baseball. His love and dedication to the youth of Pottstown was unwavering. He had a passion for baseball and devoted himself to mentoring countless young athletes in Pottstown. He instilled the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance along with a true love for the game in everyone that he coached. His team won many tournaments, league championships, and in 1989, they earned the title of Junior Legion State Champions! In 1992, Carl was inducted into the Pennsylvania American Legion Sports Hall of Fame - an honor that he shared with his father and his brother.
He was instrumental in starting the American Legion Prep League and served as commissioner for many years. He, along with local community leaders, was also instrumental in getting the PAL football program started.
Carl enjoyed bowling and was a member of FUMC’s team and played in a league at Jay Lanes. After the baseball season was over in the summer, he loved vacationing in Ocean City, New Jersey, with his family.
Carl was president of Sports Enterprise, Inc. and was a member of the First United Methodist Church, which later merged with Cedarville United Methodist Church.
Surviving along with his wife, Barbara, of 69 years, are his children: Karen Surman, wife of the late Samuel Surman, Robin Remigio, Jeffrey Sundstrom, husband of Debbra, and Todd Sundstrom, husband of Amy. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Christian, Joshua, Jared, Seth, Krista, Danielle, J.C., Taylor, and Austin, and nine great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his brother, Norman Sundstrom, and a niece and nephew.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 9:30, at Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, LLC., 711 N. Franklin St., Pottstown, PA 19464. Services will immediately follow visitation at 11:00 and burial will follow at Limerick Garden of Memories.