Laurence J. Carpenter, of Woburn died peacefully at home on July 30, following a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Kathryn Corrine (Bekkenhuis) Carpenter, who passed away in 1990.
Born in Woburn 83 years ago, he was the son of the late Frederick and Harriet Carpenter. He was raised in East Woburn and was a graduate of Woburn High School, class of 1940.
Following high school he joined the United States Marine Corp and proudly served from 1942-1945 with the 3rd Marine Division. He participated in the Pacific campaigns of Iwo Jima, Boganville and Guadacanal. After the war, he made a career in law enforcement. He was a graduate of Suffolk University, Mass Bay Community College and the FBI National Academy in Washington, D.C.
He was appointed as a patrolman to the MDC Police department in 1948 and promoted through the ranks to head the department as superintendent. After retiring in 1981, he worked for several years at the General Foods Company, heading the security force.
Throughout his life, he was very dedicated to his family. He enjoyed summers at Nantasket Beach and Lake Winnipesauke. In his later years, he relocated to Naples, Florida, which he enjoyed very much.
He was predeceased by his three brothers Freddy, Vincent and Lennie, also two sisters Mary and Theresa. He was the loving father of eight children, Maureen Sacco and her husband Paul of Arizona, Denise Boudreau-Sacco and her husband Donald of Brockton, Jane O´Dea and her husband Kevin of Woburn, Michael and his wife Linda of Chelmsford, Laurence Jr. of Bedford, Mary of Woburn, Kevin and his wife Dawn and Brian and his wife Lisa all of Woburn. He is further survived by 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
His funeral will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St. Woburn on Wednesday, August 2, at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 100 Washington St. Woburn at 10. Services will conclude with burial at Calvary Cemetery, Woburn.
Visiting Hours at the funeral home are on Tuesday, from 4 thru 8
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be sent to Hospice Care Inc., 41 Montvale Ave, Stoneham, MA 02180