LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Alton H. Carpenter, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavors
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Alton H. Carpenter died on Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Albany,
New York, at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, He was born on January 29, 1928, on his grandfather's farm in
Kelsey, New York, the son of Adelbert Daniel Carpenter and Ethel LaVonne
(Peckham) Carpenter; and
WHEREAS, Alton H. Carpenter was honorably discharged from not one, but
two branches of the United States Armed Forces, including the U.S. Army
Air Corps for service during World War II and the U.S. Air Force for
service during the Korean War; and
WHEREAS, A 58 year member of Harpursville American Legion Post No.
1596 in Harpursville, Broome County, New York, Alton H. Carpenter was
awarded a life membership in 1969; he also served as Secretary-Treasurer
of the Harpursville Veterans Memorial Corporation for 15 years; and
WHEREAS, Alton H. Carpenter was a Senior Systems Analyst with the
Bendix Corporation; after 32 years of distinguished service, he retired
in January of 1983; he then moved to Albany, New York, and accepted the
position of Administrative Assistant to the Adjutant of The American
Legion, Department of New York, until his retirement in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Alton H. Carpenter served as The American Legion Department
of New York Commander for the year 1981-1982; and
WHEREAS, He served in the American Legion in many capacities including
Post and County Commander, Department Historian for seven years, Office
Manager and Executive Director of the American Legion Department of New
York Boys State, Inc.; at the time of his death, he was a consultant to
the American Legion Department of New York Legislative Committee; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable man remained true to the goals and ideals of
the Preamble of the American Legion Constitution by his service to God
and country and devotion to mutual helpfulness by service; and
WHEREAS, Subsequently, Alton H. Carpenter was a dedicated advocate for
veterans and their families; and
WHEREAS, Alton H. Carpenter's other activities included membership in
both the Library of Congress, and the BPOE Elks Lodge 2175, Sidney, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Alton H. Carpenter was a longtime member of the Albany Redmen
Bowling League, and as Team Captain, led his team in capturing First
Place for the 2014-2015 season; and
WHEREAS, Alton H. Carpenter is survived by his children, LaVonne
Button, William (Cheryl Randall), Gerald, Jeffrey and Brian Carpenter
(Andy Taylor), and Dona Eckert (Tony); stepchildren, Michael Whitaker,
Cheryl Whitaker (Bernie Mackey), and Diane Kilmer (Kevin); his grand-
children, Tonya, Amber (Paul), Megan, Kameron (Noelle), Kollin, Joelle
(Jeremy), Mark and Victoria; several great-grandchildren; and a niece,
Rachel Westcott-Lawler (Bob), as well as his dear friend of many years,
Ann Geer; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Alton H. Carpenter leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Alton H. Carpenter, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Alton H. Carpenter.