Bruce R. Carpenter

Bruce R. Carpenter, 67, of the Town of Oppenheim, New York, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica, New York after several medical complications. At the time of his passing, he had the love and support of his wife, Dawn and his children, Jacob, Amanda and Andrew by his side.

He was born on November 25, 1955 in Little Falls, New York and was the son of Madeline (Randall) Carpenter. Bruce was educated at Dolgeville Central School and graduated with the Class of 1975.

On April 12, 1980, Bruce was united in marriage to Dawn E. Young in Dolgeville, New York and raised their three children in a loving home. The couple recently celebrated 43 years of marriage together.

Bruce was formerly employed as Head of Building and Grounds at Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School. Throughout his years of working at the school, Bruce created many friendships with his co-workers and was always a happy person for the children to be around. He will be remembered by his former co-workers and students fondly.

In his spare time, Bruce enjoyed hunting, bowling, baking, and carpentry. In particular, he enjoyed cooking especially smoking meat for family get togethers. His smoked chicken was a family favorite that everyone would go crazy over. Bruce like mowing his lawn each summer as well as all his pets that were considered his babies. Bruce was the go-to guy for his kids and he knew how to fix everything and never complained about helping anyone.

His greatest accomplishment was becoming a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved spending time with his grandsons, Zak and Parker. Bruce enjoyed watching them thrive especially when swimming each summer. He truly loved spending time with his family and will be missed deeply by them all.

Bruce is survived by his beloved wife, Dawn E. Carpenter at home; his children, Jacob Carpenter and his wife, Sarah of Little Falls, NY, Amanda Carpenter and her fiancé, Daryl Bushnoe of Oppenheim, NY, and Andrew Rogers and his fiancé, Ashley Cervini; two grandsons, Parker Carpenter and Zak Imsirovic; his siblings, Bambi Smith and her husband, Carl of Johnstown, NY, Donald Carpenter and his wife, Dona of Spruce Lake, NY, Wayne Carpenter and his wife, Patty of Spruce Lake, NY, Jimmy John and his wife, April of Stratford, NY and Keith Carpenter; mother-in-law, June Young of Oppenheim, NY; sisters and brother-in-law, Amy Voorhees of Oppenheim, NY and Brenda and Lee Avery of Oppenheim, NY; many nieces and nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his mother, Madeline Carpenter; a sister, Vicki Brockhum; his father-in-law, G. Arthur Young; and brother-in-law, Richard “Rick” Voorhees.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329. A memorial service will be held immediately following the calling hours at 6 p.m. also at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Hediger officiating. Calling hours and the memorial service are for adults only. 

The family would like to thank the medical staff of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, the Oppenheim Volunteer Fire Department and the St. Johnsville EMT’s for their care and compassion for Bruce and his family.

In lieu of floral offerings, please consider memorial contributions for the Oppenheim Volunteer Fire Department, 6786 State Highway 29, St. Johnsville, NY 13452 or the St. Johnsville Ambulance-SAVAC, P.O. Box 296, St. Johnsville, NY 13452. Please note in the memo, “In Memory of Bruce R. Carpenter”, in order for the donation to be properly acknowledged.

To leave a message of sympathy for the family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or leave a memory or photo for the memory book. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bruce R. Carpenter, please visit our floral store.