Obituary of Robert J. Carpenter

Robert J. Bob Carpenter 83 years, husband of Rita G. (Gainley) Carpenter of Peabody, died on Sunday surrounded by his family succombing after a lengthy battle with cancer. Mr. Carpenter was born on November 12, 1922 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was raised and educated in Waterloo Iowa and graduated from Waterloo High School class of 1941. During WW II he served in the United States Marine Corps. He saw battle in the Pacific Theater of Operations and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant while in the field. Following his return from the War he attended Dartmouth College and in 1950 received his BA Degree in History. Mr. Carpenter was employed from 1950 as an insurance claims manager at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Lynn and the previous 20 years prior to his retirement in 1982 he worked in the Boston office. He devoted his entire life to his family and as a hobby he was a history buff. In addition to his wife of 56 years, he is survived by 2 sons and their wives, Robert J. Carpenter II and Cathy Carpenter of CA, John P. and Denise Carpenter of Peabody; 2 grandchildren, Tracy Carpenter of CA and Stephan Carpenter of Peabody; a brother-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Olive Burkinshaw and Judith Gainley all of Peabody; 4 nieces and a nephew, Jean Kelly, Linda Kiricoples, Karen Burkinshaw, Lisa Gainley all of Peabody and Frank Gainley of Burlington and many great nieces and nephews. He was pre deceased by his brother-in-law Frank Gainley. A family service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St. location, Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Wednesday 5 to 8 p.m. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Fisher House Foundation, Inc. 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 600, Rockville, MD 20852.