Charles Carpenter

Charles E.

Carpenter Jr.

Poughkeepsie - Charles E. Carpenter Jr., formerly Commissioner of the City of Poughkeepsie Department of Social Services, died at the Pines of Poughkeepsie nursing home, Poughkeepsie, NY on April 11, 2015.

He was born September 5, 1918 in Philadelphia, PA, the son of Florence Riggs and Charles E. Carpenter.

Mr. Carpenter joined the former Poughkeepsie Department of Public Welfare in January 1951 as a child caseworker. He became a senior caseworker in the child welfare division in 1959 and served as Deputy Commissioner and Director of Social Services in the early 1970's.

Mr. Carpenter is a graduate of Wilmington College, Wilmington, Ohio, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in social science. He studied for an additional year for an Ohio teaching credential on the secondary level.

During World War II he served in the Civilian Public Service Program, under Selective Service, which included participation in reforestation projects in Oregon and medical research on malaria in New York City. Other jobs he held included working as a licensed ship purser in runs to Puerto Rico, as a cattle attendant on livestock shipments to Europe, and as a part-time worker with the American Friends Service Committee.

In 1948 he married Grete Sorter, a native of Austria, and in 1950 they settled in Poughkeepsie, NY. There he became an active member of Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting, serving on several committees.

Mr. Carpenter is survived by three children, Charles E. Carpenter III of Concord, MA, Kenneth S. Carpenter of Edwards, CO, and Margaret E. Deery of Cambridge, MA, as well as two granddaughters Katherine B. Carpenter, Elizabeth Deery, and grandson Alexander Deery.

There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at the Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting, 249 Hooker Avenue, on June 20, 2015 at 2 pm, followed by a reception and light refreshments. Donations to go to the Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting.