Hello,
It has come to my attention that the brother of George B. Carpenter (Group 15 of the
Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project) passed away on 21 May 2015 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
My condolences to the family and especially to George.
John R. Carpenter
Carpenter Cousins Project
http://carpentercousins.com
OBIT:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/calgaryherald/obituary.aspx?n=william-ca...
William Carpenter
Obituary
CARPENTER, William Bradford May 15, 1927 – Edmonton, Alberta May 21, 2015 – Calgary,
Alberta William (Bill) Carpenter, M.D., died in his sleep on Thursday, May 21, 2015, held
by his loving, devoted wife Marion. Bill's exceptional life began on May 15, 1927 in
Edmonton, Alberta when he was born to Dorothy Birt and Bryer Carpenter. Bryer's work
as a railway agent meant Bill grew up in various railway stations in Alberta, which
sparked his enduring passion for rail lore. Dorothy's early death took five-year-old
Bill and his older brother Bert on a cross-country journey to live with relatives in
Ontario. Upon later reuniting with his father, Bill met the woman who became his other,
loving mother, Winogene Brandow. The family settled back at Warden Junction in central
Alberta, later moving to Kinsella. After finishing high school, Bill left home to work on
the railway coal dock at Ryley. An early career as a Morse code telegrapher followed,
which took young Bill to numerous rail stations across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
He became the youngest telegrapher to work at Toronto's Union Station to that date. He
ultimately decided on a career in medicine, and after a few years he enrolled in medical
school at the University of Alberta where he met Marion Tucker, a nursing student also at
the U of A. During this time, while interning at the University of Alberta Hospital, Bill
joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve as a medical pilot officer. Within three
years, he and Marion were married and sailing to Honolulu, Hawaii where Bill began his
residency in internal medicine, and Marion worked as a nurse. When the Mayo Clinic later
accepted Bill for a fellowship in internal medicine, he and Marion relocated to Rochester,
Minnesota. Bill later switched his studies to pathology; his true calling. He graduated
with both a degree and a newborn daughter, Sheila. Daughter Erin was born two years later
in St. Paul, Minnesota while Bill worked at the lab in a local hospital, and the growing
family soon relocated to Spokane, Washington for another work opportunity. But Bill and
Marion's hearts were set on coming home to Canada, specifically Calgary and the nearby
mountains, so the family moved again. It was there in 1966 that Bill founded Calgary
Medical Laboratories, with the help of two assistants. A former billiard hall became home
base for southern Alberta's first mobile laboratory service, with Bill at the wheel of
his red Volkswagen beetle, collecting and delivering specimens all over the region. Under
Bill's leadership, the lab was soon transformed into a first class medical facility,
using the latest technology to bring more timely test results to physicians and patients
in the region. Bill's vision, and insistence on medical excellence drove the
laboratory to become the largest independent lab in western Canada, based in Calgary with
branch labs in central and southern Alberta and eventually employing five hundred people.
It is known today as Calgary Laboratory Services. Daughter Megan was born during the first
year of the lab's operation, and despite onerous work demands, Bill enjoyed spending
time at the country retreat he created with Marion for their family. He pursued interests
in building and flying model aircraft, sketching, and even took up banjo lessons. Bill
retired after guiding the laboratory through more than two decades of service and success,
having developed many professional and personal relationships that he appreciated and
valued. In retirement, Bill remained true to his nickname of "Gadget King",
embracing personal computer technology and using it to revive his interest in telegraphy.
He was instrumental in restoring the 6060 steam locomotive, which now runs between
Stettler and Big Valley in central Alberta. Bill also earned a ham radio license and kept
an enduring interest in military and aviation history. He also loved spending time in the
country. Bill always looked forward to winter holidays with Marion at their home in Maui,
welcoming visits from their children and grandchildren and other family members. Bill is
lovingly remembered for his generosity to all who knew him, along with his dry humour and
storytelling talents, his strength, and his perseverance against debilitating and
progressive illness. Bill was predeceased by his parents, and his brothers Jimmy and Bert.
Grieving his death and celebrating his remarkable life are wife Marion, daughters Sheila
and her daughter Maile Carys, Erin and her husband Mike and their children Owen, Evelyn,
and Shane, Megan and her husband Dany and their children Devin and Damon, Bill's
brother George and his wife Carol, sisters Pat and Alice and her husband Dennis,
Bill's nieces and nephews and many other family members. Also mourning Bill's loss
are his extraordinary and loving caregivers in both Calgary and Maui, including Sarah,
Carol, Christina, Robert, Ryan, Sushma and Marianne, and caring, dedicated service
providers Jackie, Kim, Flavio, John, Richard, and Laurie. Thanks also to Dr. Leung and Dr.
Yee, along with many other caregivers who supported Bill over the years. A private
memorial will be held at a later date. Please forward condolences through
www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of
Calgary/Movement Disorders Research Program at Foothills Hospital: Health Sciences Centre,
Area 3, 3350 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, T2N4N1, or to the Rocky Mountain Rail Society,
P.O. Box 89076-6060, P.B.O. Calgary, T2J7C9, website
www.6060.org. In living memory of
William Carpenter M.D., a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park. - See more
at:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/calgaryherald/obituary.aspx?n=william-ca...