Edward L. Carpenter III, 75, of Punta Gorda, FL passed away in Hospice care at his home June 2, 2019. He was born June 13, 1943, in Wakefield, RI to Edward Jr. and Maude (Gardner) Carpenter-Gagner, both deceased. His father served in WWII in the US Army, killed in action at d’Hagon, France, Oct 12, 1944. In his youth, Edward attended Hazard Elementary School where he participated in the percussion section of the band and served as an AAA Patrol Boy /Crossing Guard. He was a member of the Cub Scouts; was a 1961 graduate of South Kingstown High School, RI and participated in the school band. He was also a tackle on the football team. In 1962, he met the love of his life Angela Ann Belanger of Caribou, ME. They were married August 1, 1964, at Holy Rosary Church in Caribou.
He worked his first job at Sheldon Furniture of Wakefield, RI (Clerk and delivering furniture). He enlisted in the US Air Force Sept. 1961 and completed basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. His first assignment (Dec. 1961-65) was at the Headquarters Sq. 42nd Bomb Wing Limestone, ME as a Communications Center Specialist Telephone, Teletype and Crypto specialist. From 1965 to 1967 he was assigned to SEAMARF (South East Asia Military Altitude Reservation Facility) at Clark Air Base, Philippines. 1968-1969 was assigned to the 2027 Comm. Sq. Forbes AFB, Topeka, KS where he finished his military career.
As a civilian, he worked briefly at Cottles Supper Market in Lewiston, Maine, and as a pipe fitter at Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME. He joined the Lewiston Police Dept. in January of 1970, and was promoted to Liaison Officer 1-27-74, Line Sgt. 6-377, Sgt. Bureau of Criminal Investigation 12-07-79, appointed Youth Bureau Director 05-02-80, returned to Sgt./BCI, promoted to Lieutenant 04-07-86, Promoted to Captain 09-07-87, assigned to Captain CID 04-23-90, assigned acting Patrol Captain & CID Capt. 02-28-94, and retired in 1994.
In 1995, he became the general manager of ACE Detective and Security Agency in Lewiston, ME until 1999 when Parkinson’s disease rendered him disabled. He elected to undergo deep brain stimulation surgery in 2001 at Beth Israel Hospital Boston. MA to help with his tremors.
He enjoyed watching his children play sports throughout their school years. He was President of the FLY Football League in Lewiston for several years and helped coach the Lions Team for many years in that league. He is remembered for his humor and jokes.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Angela (Belanger) Carpenter and their six children: Ret. Navy Lt. Commander Steven Carpenter and wife Sally (Weaver); Karen (Carpenter) Purinton and husband, Stacy; Mark Carpenter and wife, Heather (Henry); Jo-Ann Carpenter; Mary (Carpenter) Robert; and Brian Carpenter and wife, Jennifer (Brogowski); two sisters: Sharon (Gagner) Dupont and Deborah (Gagner) Northup, and brother, Kenneth Gagner. He is the grandfather of seventeen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A Graveside Service with military honors will be held at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, ME at a later date.
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