Harry Nevins Carpenter

Harry Nevins Carpenter, 92, of Westerly, died peacefully Feb. 14, 2015 after a recent decline in health.
He was born April 1, 1922 in Greenfield, Mass., son of Harry (Lee) Carpenter and Gladys (Nevins) Carpenter. Harry received his education from the Northampton Vocational School, in Northampton Mass. He then served with the 9th Army Air Corps from 1943 to Nov. 1945 planning B26 air strikes from France. After the war, he married his sweetheart, Joyce Clark, daughter of Robert and Ethel (Martin) Clark of Florence, Mass., on Aug. 3, 1946. They lived in Florence Mass. until moving to Westerly R.I. in 1952. For over 40 years Harry worked as a draftsman specializing in plastic mold design for the Plax Corporation, Monsanto, Leviton and Green Plastic.
Harry along with his wife and children were involved with the early years of the Chorus of Westerly. He enjoyed hiking the White and Green Mountains with his family and later with the former Boy Scout Troop 3. He was a life-long bird watching enthusiast, loved to dance, made the best chowder and kept a robust garden until his mid 80s. He was a former Lions member as well as a Mason.
Surviving children are: Anne Mook and husband Wes of Bennington Vt., Joan Thornton and husband James of Windsor Conn. and Westerly, David Carpenter and wife Karen of Moodus Conn.; 3 grandchildren-Jonathan Lamy (wife Kendra), of Washington DC, Anne Alberts (husband Jay) of Topsfield, Mass. and Sarah Thornton of Charleston S.C.; one great-grandchild. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Robert Clark and wife Sally of Schenectady N.Y., a sister-in- law, Charlotte Carpenter of Northampton, Mass., nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Joyce of 49 years, and his siblings, Arlene, Doris, and Forrest. Harry remarried in 2001 to Eleanor Payne, who survives him. Her family includes: John R.Payne Jr. and Mabel of Westerly, Barbara and Bruce Malone of Camden, Maine, Susan and Rev. Anthony Dinoto of Ledyard, Conn. and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Westerly R.I. on Saturday, Feb. 28th at 11 a.m. There are no calling hours. Internment will be private for the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Harry's memory to: The Chorus of Westerly 119 High Street Westerly RI, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center PO Box 122 Mystic CT 06355, or to the Arts Commission of Christ Church Elm Street, Westerly RI 02891
The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic is handling arrangements.