John E. Carpenter

John E. Carpenter, 80, a schoolteacher at La Salle Academy for more than half a century, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in Providence.

"Now he belongs to the ages." That quote is attributed to a witness of President Abraham Lincoln's death in 1865, days after the end of the Civil War. John was always fascinated with that war. Growing up in Rehoboth, John's brother says he used to divide the peas on his dinner plate into Union and Confederate soldiers. (He'd eat the Confederates first) Family vacations often included stops at Civil War battle sites. And consider this: John lived for 80 years, one month and 24 days. The Civil War ended exactly 80 years, one month and 24 days before John was born.

That love of the Civil War led to John studying history at Providence College, and then to La Salle Academy, where he was initially hired as an English teacher. He soon moved to the Social Studies department and specialized in American History courses. He often spoke proudly of the thousands who gained success after passing through his classroom, including a future Governor of Rhode Island, a United States Senator, and dozens of others elected to public office.

John loved teaching at La Salle and never considered working in a public school. He said La Salle reflected the Catholic values and beliefs he felt personally. John's students fondly remember the passion, kindness and guidance that "Mr. Carpenter" provided over his 51 years there.

John's kindness and generosity extended beyond the classroom. He volunteered countless hours at his church, and donated to numerous charitable causes. John also loved the Boston Red Sox and suffered as a fan from the days of Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski, until the David Ortiz era, and the long-awaited championships. He was also a fan of the Patriots, Bruins and the PC Friars basketball team. When he wasn't watching sports, John enjoyed relaxing by his stereo, listening to classic rock. In his later years, he almost always had a book in his hands and must have read hundreds.

John's greatest love was, of course, his family. He is surely overjoyed to be reunited with his late wife and son in heaven, along with his parents, and the friends and other relatives who arrived there before him.

John was born in Mineola, New York, and lived in Rehoboth and Swansea, Massachusetts before moving to Providence for good in the early 1960s. He was the husband of the late Elizabeth "Betty" Carpenter (Macaruso), and the father of the late John B. Carpenter. He was the son of the late Benjamin and Lucia (Violette) Carpenter.

John is survived by his son Daniel Carpenter, and his wife Kerri, of North Providence; his daughter, Sherry Carpenter of Providence; his daughter-in-law, Kristen (Dinan) Carpenter of Goffstown, New Hampshire; and his brother, Jerry Carpenter and his wife Shirley of Herndon, Virginia. John also leaves 4 beloved grandsons. "Grandpa" loved spending time with Dante and Christopher, playing board games, taking them on vacations and watching both play Little League. Later, he was able to cherish playing with his younger grandsons, Cameron and Liam.

His funeral will be from the A.A. Mariani & Son Funeral Home, 200 Hawkins Street, Providence at 9:00 am Monday August 4th, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at La Salle Academy Chapel, Providence. Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. Visiting hours are Sunday, August 3rd, 3:00pm - 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to La Salle Academy, 612 Academy Avenue, Providence, RI 02908.