Alfred Kent "Al" Carpenter, 85, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024 in Dunkirk, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 30, 1939 in Sinclairville to Lloyd and Emma Carpenter.
Al grew up in Sinclairville with parents who emphasized a strong work ethic, along with fun, the importance of family, and the balance between it all. The home had a large lawns for croquet games, large gardens that helped sustain the traditional Sunday family dinners in a home that always had room for one more.
Al attended Cassadaga Valley High School. He participated in sports, organizations, and all the fun the 1950s had to offer in a small town high school.
Al attended Grove City College in Pennsylvania, where he earned his degree in accounting. While in college he was on the tennis team. He loved college and thought most of the cafeteria food was great, but it fell in comparison to his mother's homemade bread and other home-cooked meals. One of the best things about college life was meeting Mary Katharine Alison on a blind date. Al and Mary K. were married on June 30, 1962 in Baltimore, MD. They started married life living in Maple Springs, but soon after settled in Cassadaga in a home currently known as the "The Red House."
After graduating from college, Al worked as an accountant at Jamestown Furniture Factory; he didn't love it, and he went back to school for a degree in education. This degree led to a 30-year tenure at Cassadaga Valley High School as a business teacher. Al was known for his loud voice, high expectations, strong discipline and advocating for his students. He helped many students pursue their college dreams. While at CVCS, he was an advisor for multiple classes, served on the union negotiating teams and helped to foster a tight-knit faculty. Al was instrumental in organizing efforts, which resulted in the construction of the current gymnasium and tennis courts at CVCS. Al never backed down from a challenge and always had the energy for a fundraiser -- tire collection, donkey basketball and who else would own their own dunk tank that could be used for any school activity!
While at Cassadaga Valley, Al started the tennis team and coached until he retired. His first love, however, was basketball. He coached at CVCS for 25 years. He not only enjoyed the successes on the court, but the camaraderie with his players. He loved the 6:00 PM practice slot so he could practice as long as he wanted! He also loved hosting team dinners where he made homemade soups and had the players make their own homemade ice cream. The only thing he didn’t love about basketball were the referees!
After Al retired from CVCS, he and Mary K. moved to Port St. Joe, FL, where they quickly became part of the community. Al finished his basketball coaching career in Port St. Joe as an assistant coach and then head coach of the Tiger Sharks.
In his spare time, Al enjoyed renovating their Cassadaga home and creating numerous carpentry pieces in his wood shop that many family members and friends still cherish today.
Family was very important to Al. He and Mary K. hosted huge Thanksgiving dinners at their home on Frisbee Road in Cassadaga. One year, there were 75 people in attendance. Spending time with family was his favorite activity. Motorcycling with Mary K. and their daughters provided many wonderful memories. Al and Mary K. eventually purchased a family fishing camp in Quebec, where the fishing was great, but bringing family and friends together was Al's ultimate dream.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Emma Carpenter; his brother, Roland Carpenter; and his brother-in-law, Carl Emmott. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary K.; his sister, Maryellen Emmott; his brother, Larry (Marion) Carpenter; his daughters, Kelley (Jim) McQuiggan and Kerry (Paul) Mihalko; and his grandsons, Kyle McQuiggan, Ryan McQuiggan, A.J. (Lacey) Mihalko and Trent (Heidi) Mihalko.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Donations in memory of Al may be sent to the Red House for Youth, LLC., 91 Frisbee Road, Cassadaga, NY 14718.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Jordan Funeral Home, 6 Parkway Drive in Sinclairville. Condolences may be sent to the family at PO Box 174, Cherry Creek, NY 14723 or online at www.jordansinclairville.com.
