Melvin Edward Carpenter (90), of Lafayette, NJ, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Born in Sparta, NJ on March 25, 1934, he was the fourth of four children.
In 1955, he married Ida Carpenter (Belcher). They were married for 69 years. They first lived in Sparta, before moving to Lafayette, where they resided in their “home on the hill” for the past 56 years. Mel built the home himself and always enjoyed looking at the scenic panoramic view from his living room window.
Mel’s contracting career began when he ran heavy equipment for his father’s family business, Fred B. Carpenter & Sons Contracting, out of Sparta, NJ. He started his own construction business in 1968, building over 30 homes, many in Lafayette, until he retired at the age of 62 in 1996.
Mel was a huge sports fan, but especially loved baseball. He was an avid New York Giants fan and especially loved going to the Polo Grounds and watching his favorite player, Willie Mays. He never wavered in his support of the Giants, continuing to root them on when the team moved to San Francisco. Mel was a skilled baseball player himself, playing for his Newton High School team. Though he was smaller in height than many of his teammates, he was known for his speed and his bunting skills. Later in life Mel sponsored and played on Mel’s Marauders in the Sussex County Softball League. Despite being the oldest player on the team, his skills as a coach and player were inspiring to his teammates, who nicknamed him “The Fountain of Youth.” Mel also felt practicing good sportsmanship was extremely important in athletics, and he was very proud when the softball league honored him the “Great Sportsmanship Award” in 1981. Another favorite sport of his was wrestling, especially high school wrestling, and he was a big supporter of the High Point Regional High School wrestling team during the 1970s and 1980s.
In addition to watching sports, he loved to watch the Western Channel, especially classic shows like “Gunsmoke,” “Bonanza,” “Wagon Train,” and “The Rifleman.” He also loved dogs. He never met a dog he didn’t like and every dog he met was always drawn to him, which is why some referred to him as a “dog whisperer.” He always enjoyed having dogs by his side, whether they were laying by him on the couch or riding shotgun with him in his truck.
Mel was predeceased by his parents, Fred B. Carpenter and Lillian Carpenter (McMickle) and siblings, Ernest Carpenter and Joyce Younkers (Carpenter).
He is survived by his loving wife, Ida Carpenter (Belcher) of Lafayette, NJ; children Sheree Carpenter of Dingman’s Ferry, PA, Brenda Snyder(Carpenter) and husband Bill Snyder of Dingman’s Ferry, PA, Scott Carpenter and husband Ron Kelly of Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren Erin Snyder O’Grady and husband Chris O’Grady, Amber Snyder, Amanda Lawson (Snyder) and husband Ken Lawson; Joshua Snyder and Henry Snyder, Madison O’Grady, Emmalena Lawson and James Lawson; his brother Bernard Carpenter and wife Marian of Deptford, NJ; as well as his loving cousins, in-laws and nieces and nephews. Mel dearly loved all his family members and friends, but you could always see a special sparkle come to his eye whenever his grandchildren and great grandchildren were around.
Although Mel could be a man of few words, his wisdom had a strong impact on many. He will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
A visitation will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025 from 2 pm - 4 pm and 6 pm - 8 pm at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High Street, Newton, NJ. A funeral service will be held at 11am on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Frankford Plains Cemetery.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
