November 9, 2011

CLAYTON, N.Y.  —  Joseph B. Carpenter, 91, formerly of Fayetteville and Deland, Fla., passed away Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 8, at Iroquois Nursing Home, Jamesville.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at St. Mary's Church, Clayton with Rev. Arthur LaBaff officiating. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery, town of Cape Vincent, with military honors. Arrangements are with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton.

Born March 10, 1920, in Clayton, the son of Benjamin and Agnes Knapp Carpenter, he graduated in 1939 from Clayton High School. 

He married Beverly J. Riddler in the rectory of St. Mary's Church on June 11, 1946, with Rev. George Racette officiating. She died Feb. 8, 2005.

He began his career in the Armed Forces on Dec. 30, 1940, when he entered the Navy. He was a survivor of Pearl Harbor's attack by the Japanese. He also served in Korea in the early 1950's. On April 3, 1954 he joined the Air Force National Guard. Throughout his career he was a aircraft mechanic, and on April 2, 1973 he retired as chief mechanic and as a master sergeant.

Mr. Caropenter was a former member of both the Clayton and Syracuse American Legions. 

He enjoyed carpentry and gardening.

Surviving ae two daughters and their husbands, Catherine C. and Douglas N. Powell, Skaneateles, and Patricia J. and Michael P. Turso, Constableville; four grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Besides his wife, Beverly, he was predeceased by his three brothers, Edward, Harold, and Carl Carpenter, and two sisters, Bernadette C. Stapleton and Dorothy C. Rash.

In memory of Joe, the family wishes donations in his name be made to your local food pantry.

Information provided by Cummings Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown