James M. Carpenter Sr. of Auburn, MA died Sunday, April 13, 2008 at St. Vincent's Hospital. James was the son of Edward J. and Ellen A. (O'Rourke) Carpenter, and leaves his wife of 46 years, Elizabeth C. (McNally) Carpenter, his eight sons and their wives:, James Jr. and Crystal (Lussier) Carpenter of Auburn, MA, Michael and Amy (Strickland) Carpenter of Santa Barbara, California, Edward and Elaine (Babineau) Carpenter of Leicester, MA, George and Lisa (Bottom) Carpenter of Leicester, MA, Christopher and Melissa (Boulay) Carpenter of Charlton, MA, Timothy and Bridget (Cushing) Carpenter of Milton, MA, Paul and Kelley (Desroches) Carpenter of Auburn, MA, and Sean Carpenter and his fiancé Lisa Derwin of Quincy, MA. James also leaves behind his two brothers and their wives: George V. Sr. and Maureen Carpenter of Worcester, MA, John F. and Betty Anne Carpenter of Auburn, MA and three sisters: Mary A. Hanrahan, wife of Martin Hanrahan of Worcester, MA, Rita V. Murphy, widow of Vincent L. Murphy of Worcester, MA and Helen T. Carpenter known in religion as Sister Helen Carpenter of the Maryknoll Sisters stationed in Santiago Chile. James was predeceased by three brothers: Edward J. Carpenter Jr., Joseph A. Carpenter, and Thomas P. Carpenter. James had 11 grandchildren: Amber, Erin, Bryan, Benjamin, Matthew, Emily, Luke, Rachel, Maxwell, Finbar, and Cameron; 4 step-grandchildren; 7 step-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

   James was a graduate of Commerce High School in Worcester, MA and earned a BA from Nichols College in Dudley, MA. James was a member of the 101st Air National Guard for 6 years that served 1 year of active duty in Germany during the building of the Berlin Wall. James started his career working at Bay State Savings Bank and continued his career in the banking industry with Home Federal Savings Bank in Worcester, MA where he worked his way up to Vice President and Treasurer. James became the first Director of Internal Audit of Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency in Boston, MA where he worked for 21 years before retiring. James was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Auburn, an honorary member of the Auburn Knights of Columbus and 4th Degree Member of the John Cardinal Wright Assembly. If there were one word to summarize James's life…Family!

   Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours from 5-8 PM Wednesday, in the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central Street, Auburn. His funeral will be held Thursday from the funeral home with a Mass celebrated at 10 AM in Saint Joseph's Church, 189 Oxford Street, Auburn. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park.

   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maryknoll Sisters, c/o Web Office, P.O. Box 307, Maryknoll, NY 10545.