James Paul Carpenter

James Paul Carpenter, age 79, of Cohasset, formerly of Hingham, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2023, surrounded by his family.

Born in Ossining, NY, in 1943, Jim grew up there and with family in Mendham, NJ and Mansfield, PA. He attended Northeastern University, then served in Vietnam as a Specialist in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969. While in Vietnam, he was severely injured in a mortar attack and spent many months in hospitals in Vietnam, Japan and Walter Reed in Maryland before concluding his service at Fort Bragg. Soon after returning to Boston, he attended a party where he met Ellen (Murphy) Carpenter, a “real knock-out,” who became the love of his life. They were married in June 1971, and in 1976 moved to Hingham where they raised their family. Jim received a masters degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT in 1977. He spent his early career in the aerospace industry at Draper Laboratory and Northrop Grumman, and his late career at PTC and IBM. He held international sales roles that allowed him to travel and meet new people, which brought him much joy. Jim loved sailing, skiing, and a great conversation. He will be remembered for his unflagging optimism and his ready smile.

Jim is predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Ellen, who passed away in 2018, and by his brothers, Keith Carpenter and Kenneth Carpenter, and sister, Phyllis Blatchly. He is survived by a large and loving family who will miss him dearly: Jennifer Boylan and husband Michael of Cohasset, Melissa Haire and husband Casey of Darien, CT, and Timothy Carpenter and wife Rose of Wellesley; his ten grandchildren, Courtney, Isabelle, Liam, Jack and Owen Haire; Edward, Charles and Henry Carpenter; and Margaret and Seamus Boylan; his brother, Lynn Carpenter, of Lakewood, CO; and a large extended family with whom he had many wonderful memories. He also leaves behind many friends from Hingham and Cohasset, where he and Ellen moved in 2014.

Family and friends are invited to visiting hours to celebrate Jim’s life on Sunday July 9, 2023, from 4-8 pm at Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond Street, Hingham. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 am on Monday, July 10, 2023, at St. Anthony’s Church, 10 Summer Street, Cohasset.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cohasset Historical Society.

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