Thomas Joseph Carpino, Jr.

Thomas Joseph Carpino Jr., 63, of La Grande, known to family and friends as "T," Dad, Papa, Butch and Tommy Joe Bob, died April 24 at his home surrounded by his loved ones. A celebration of life will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at Faith Center, 10300 South D St., in Island City. The family requests that attendees wear bright colors or Hawaiian shirts for this celebration.

"T" was born Sept. 22, 1945, to Thomas Joseph Carpino and Gloria Aurora (Benson) Carpino in Hempstead, N.Y. He attended public schools in Levittown, N.Y. After graduation in 1964 he enlisted into the U.S. Navy. While serving aboard the USS Fulton, he met and married Connie McVey of Pasadena, Md.

He served three tours in Vietnam, and served aboard various ships and was one of 11 elite fleet diesel inspectors in the service, also the coordinator for the East Coast Fleet. Among the many awards he received were the Meritorious Unit Commendations with four Bronze Stars, RVN Meritorious Unit Citation and Master Training Specialist. Prior to moving to

La Grande in 1992, he was stationed in Norfolk, Va., with the U.S. Navy. He served for 28 years until his retirement in 1992.

After moving to La Grande, "T" worked for Scott's Heating & Air Conditioning from 1994 to 1997. While still working with Scott's, "T" and his wife were the caretakers for the Union County Fairgrounds from 1993 to 1995.

He had his own auto glass repair and replacement business from 1997 until he started with the Union County Sheriff's Department in 1999. During this time, he served in various positions, starting as a reserve, then going full time as the work crew officer. He also served as house arrest officer, transport officer and was a corrections officer until cancer forced him to retire in 2007.

His greatest love was for his Lord, his family and friends. Whenever he was able to be involved with his church he would serve as deacon, usher and Sunday school teacher. Those who knew him say nobody was a stranger to "T"; he always tried to be an encouragement to those around him. He always said that today's youth are very important and supported them fully.

He loved to camp with his family and friends, whether it was a church camp-out or family reunion. "T" enjoyed teaching his grandsons John and Matt to fish, even if it meant getting a fish hook in the back of his head.

Some of his other hobbies included riding his motorcycle. He also loved small sports cars, from Austin Healys to Miatas. He was always restoring some type of vehicle, either for himself or for someone else. No job was too big or too small, when someone needed help. "T" touched so many lives during his journey, but a special friendship was the one that he had with his buddy Marlin Sturgis and his wife, Pam. They say gold panning will never be the same.

Survivors include his wife, Connie Carpino of La Grande; daughter, Angel Marie and her husband, Tod Hull, of Union; son, Thomas Joseph Carpino III and his wife, Carrie Ann Carpino, of Norfolk, Va.; foster son, James Burchett of South Dakota; brother, John Carpino and Lori Singer of Concord, N.C.; sisters, Gloria and her husband, Raymond Langdon, of Levittown, N.Y., Peggy and her husband, Jerry Leonardi of Smithtown, N.Y., Ginnie and her husband, Tom McDermott, of Sherburne, N.Y., Marie and her husband, Michael Bocca, of Mastic Beach, N.Y.; an uncle; sisters in-law, Kathy and her husband, David Bailey, of
La Grande and Susan Duffy Carpino of Port Jefferson, N.Y.; two grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.

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