Harry Nevins Carpenter, 92, of Westerly died peacefully on Saturday, February 14, 2015 after a recent decline in health.
He was born April 1, 1922 in Greenfield, MA, son of Harry (Lee) Carpenter and Gladys (Nevins) Carpenter. Harry received his education from the Northampton Vocational School, in Northampton MA. He then served with the 9th Army Air Corps from 1943 to November 1945 planning B26 air strikes from France. After the war, he married his sweetheart Joyce Clark, daughter of Robert and Ethel (Martin) Clark of Florence, MA, on August 3, 1946. They lived in Florence MA until moving to Westerly RI in 1952. For over 40 years Harry worked as a draftsman specializing in plastic mold design for the Plax Corporation, Monsanto, Leviton and Green Plastic.
Harry along with his wife and children were involved with the early years of the Chorus of Westerly. He enjoyed hiking the White and Green Mountains with his family and later with the former Boy Scout Troop 3. He was a life-long bird watching enthusiast, loved to dance, made the best chowder and kept a robust garden until his mid 80s. He was a former Lions member as well as a Mason.
He is survived by his children Anne Mook and husband Wes of Bennington VT, Joan Thornton and husband James of Windsor CT and Westerly, David Carpenter and wife Karen of Moodus CT; 3 grandchildren-Jonathan Lamy (wife Kendra), of Washington DC, Anne Alberts (husband Jay) of Topsfield, MA and Sarah Thornton of Charleston SC; one great-grandchild. He is also survived by a brother-in-law Robert Clark and wife Sally of Schenectady NY, a sister-in- law Charlotte Carpenter of Northampton, MA, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife Joyce of 49 years, and his siblings Arlene, Doris, and Forrest. Harry remarried in 2001 to Eleanor Payne, who survives. Her family includes John R. Payne Jr. and Mabel of Westerly, Barbara and Bruce Malone of Camden, ME, Susan and Rev. Anthony Dinoto of Ledyard, CT and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service celebrating Harry's life will be held on Saturday, February 28, at 11:00am at Christ Church, Westerly. There are no calling hours, and burial will be private for the family
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Harry's memory to: Chorus of Westerly, 119 High Street, Westerly RI, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center,PO Box 122, Mystic CT 06355, or to the Arts Commission of Christ Church, Elm Street, Westerly RI 02891
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