Donald Carpentier

Donald (Bud) Carpentier

East Nassau

Carpentier, Donald (Bud) Carmel August 15, 2011 - Passed into eternal rest in his sleep at Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was born at home in Otisville, NY on September 7, 1921, the only son and youngest of the six children of Carmel Juiseppe and Mary Elizabeth Carpentier. Don was predeceased by his sisters and their spouses: Florence and George Brigandi, Mary and Ralph Desanna, Rose and Gene Avery, Grace and Richard Montgomery, and Frances and Henry Baker.

Don was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Delores (Bissett) Carpentier who passed away January 12, 2011. He is survived by his four children and their spouses: Linda and Anthony Covert, Donald G. Carpentier, Ellen and Brian Cypher, and James and Caroline Carpentier. He also leaves behind 8 grandchildren: Thaddeus, Nathaniel, Gabriel, Claire Covert and her husband Ryan Salem; Hannah, Jared, Catherine and William Carpentier, and 3 great-grandchildren: Aidan, Gideon and Isla Covert.

Don graduated from Otisville High School as valedictorian of his class at the age of 16, receiving a full scholarship to Cornell University. His four years at Cornell were extended when he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps for World War II. In the Air Corps he earned his wings and served as a fighter pilot flying P-47 Thunderbolts over occupied France, Belgium and Germany. After discharge in 1946 he completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology and went to work at Squibb Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey where he met his wife as she tap danced across the floor of the plant cafeteria. Following their wedding they moved to Frederick, Maryland where Don worked at the United States Army's Camp Detrick facility for biological warfare research (chemical corps). While in Maryland their first child, Linda, was born. From Maryland the family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where Don attended graduate school in Virology/Microbiology; this is where the second child, Donald G. was born. Upon graduation the family moved to Rensselaer County, NY where Don was to live for the remainder of his life. Ellen and James were born here and Don went to work-for 30 years-at Sterling Winthrop Research Institute (SWRI) in the city of Rensselaer. Don developed one of the first influenza vaccines and created/patented a production method for it that became the government standard.

Don was a past member of the Schodack Valley Volunteer Fire Company, the Nassau Town Board, the Nassau Planning Board and had been a Scoutmaster in Castleton and Averill Park. He was an avid woodsman, hunter, fisherman, gardener, farmer and butcher. He was a partner in hunting camps in Quebec, the Adirondacks, Sullivan County and Nassau, NY. During retirement he and Delores traveled to all 50 states and most Canadian provinces.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Church in Nassau on Saturday August 20, at 10:00 am. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Thomas P. Mooney Funeral Home, 11 Elm St. Nassau on Friday August 19, from 4-8 pm.

The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to the Hoags Corners Fire Company, the Nassau Ambulance and the staff of Memorial Hospital for their compassion and care. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Hoags Corners Fire Company or the Nassau Ambulance are encouraged. Wake attendees are encouraged to bring their homegrown flowers.