J. Russell Carpenter

BENNINGTON -- A prayer service for Mr. J. Russell Carpenter was held at the Mahar & Son Funeral Home on Wednesday morning by the Rev. James Mackey, followed by a Mass of resurrection at Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Church.

Officiating the Mass was the Rev. James Mackey, a cousin to Mr. Carpenter. Concelebrating the Mass were the Rev. Michael DeMasi and the Rev. Thomas Bransfield.

The pall was placed over the casket by Mr. Carpenter’s children and their spouses; M. Ellen Carpenter, Patricia Bolduc and her husband Robert, John Carpenter and his wife Sylvia and J. Theodore Carpenter and his wife Anne-Chantal.

The wooden cross was placed on the pall by Russell’s wife, Mary Elaine Carpenter.

The Old Testament, Ecclesiates 3, 1-9, was read by his daughter, Patty Bolduc, and the New Testament, 2 Corinthians, was read by his son, J. Theodore Carpenter. The music for the Mass was sung by Monica Murray, accompanied at the organ by Louise Gauthier. Special selections for the Mass included “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Celtic Alleluia,” “Here I Am Lord,” “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art” and “When The Saints Come Marching In.”

His three grandchildren - Elizabeth Bolduc, Jess and Sean Carpenter - brought the Eucharistic gifts to the altar.

Tributes and remembrances were offered by his son John and his daughter Ellen.

Acolytes at the Mass were John Reed, Leonard Anzivnio, Gerald Amadon and Edward Molloy.

Representatives from the Knights of Columbus throughout the state were in attendance, as well as members of Court St. Andrew, Catholic Daughters of America, of whom Mrs. Mary Elaine Carpenter is a member.

Close friends Raymond L’Heureux, Ranny McClain and Darcy Davis were honorary pallbearers. His two sons, John and Theodore Carpenter, son-in-law Robert Bolduc, his grandsons Jess and Sean Carpenter, and friends Roger Graham and Sean McClain, were the acting pallbearers.

Interment followed in the family lot in Park Lawn Cemetery where Father Mackey offered the prayers of committal. In honor of his military service, the flag was folded by Ralph Brown and Joseph Krawczyk of American Legion Post 13 of Bennington and presented to Mr. Carpenter’s wife, Mary Elaine Carpenter.

A time of fellowship followed at the Mount Anthony Country Club in Bennington.

Attending the calling hours on Tuesday evening and reciting the rosary, led by the Rev. DeMasi, chaplain of the Knights of Columbus Council 307, were several members of the K of C. Members of American Legion Post 13 of Bennington offered their memorial service, and members of Court St. Anne, Catholic Daughters of America, paid their respects .

Mr. J. Russell Carpenter, 78, a longtime resident of Elm Street, died on Saturday evening, June 10, 2006, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center following a brief illness

Arrangements were under the direction of the Mahar & Son Funeral Home.