Fernando Andrew Carpenter

FERNANDO ANDREW CARPENTER (ANDY) Passed away December 22, 2005 at The Rowland Convalescent Hospital in Covina, CA from Alzheimer's disease. He was 70. Andy was born in Lynbrook, Long Island, NY on October 11, 1935. He proudly served as an active member of the U.S. Navy for 21 years 7 months where he achieved the rank of MMCM (Chief Petty Officer). He was a Vietnam veteran that received many commendations. He was a member of the American Legion Post 795 in South Lake Tahoe, CA; as well as the Elks Lodge and Moose Lodge there. Andy was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother and uncle who will always be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and dedication to his family and his country. He is preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Mary F. Carpenter formerly of South Lake Tahoe, CA; his father, Hosea Wallace Carpenter; his mother, Frances Pease; his brother, Hosea Wallace Carpenter Jr. and his sisters, Aleta Haase and Mae Merrick. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Deborah Pauline and Richard Irwin of Ontario, CA; his daughter and son-in-law, Denise Pamela and Kenneth Westeroorde of West Covina, CA; his daughter, Mary Ellen Carpenter of Poway, CA; his son and daughter-in-law, Kevin Andrew and Lynn Carpenter of Brentwood, CA; his son, David Gonzales of West Covina, CA; his daughter, Rita (Penny) Mac Clough of Las Vegas, NV and 15 loving grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Visitation for family and friends will be at McFarlane Mortuary, 887 Emerald Bay Rd., Hwy 89, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 on Thursday, December 29, 2005 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The rosary will follow visitation at 7:00 p.m. at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, 1041 Lyons Ave., S. Lake Tahoe, CA. Mass will also be held at St. Theresa's Catholic Church on Friday, December 30, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. followed by burial at the Happy Homestead Cemetery. A reception will follow at the American Legion Post 795 on Highway 50. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Andy to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).