Thomas R. "Tuck" Carpenter

Passed away on August 12, 2024. Tuck was the devoted husband of Yvonne (nee Irion) for 59 years; adoring father of Ragna (Christoph) Faller, Thomas Andrew “Andy” (Lara) Carpenter, Kelly (Brad) Carpenter Minor, Casey (Dineen) Carpenter and Karey (Mike) Carpenter Dooley; cherished grandfather of 13 and great grandfather of one.

Tuck was born in 1934 and was the youngest of three brothers.  He and his older brothers Ed and Bob were raised in Haddonfield by their single mother after the loss of their father at a young age.  Their father planted a strong sense of humor in their short time with him and humor guided them through difficult times and became a trait throughout life.  You would often see the three cracking themselves up over episodes of the three stooges or comics from The Far Side.  Tuck would often say a great sense of humor was important and a valuable trait to have in life.

Upon graduating from Haddonfield Memorial High School Class of 1953, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years and then attended Muhlenberg College on the GI Bill.  From there he played football and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, graduating in 1960.  One of Tucks great qualities was his loyalty and continued support to both his high school and college Alma maters.  He was always grateful for the friendships and bonds he had made, and cherished those friendships and stories of the past.  “No man is a failure who has friends” a quote from It’s a Wonderful Life resonated with him greatly and spoke to how he valued friendships in life.  He served on reunion committees as well as other events his entire life, because he felt giving back was his way to show gratitude for what he had learned.

After college, Tuck started out as a Social worker prior to becoming a Sales Rep for Johnson & Johnson before meeting his wife of 59 years Yvonne Irion, and marrying in 1965.  He went on to achieve his masters degree at Temple University while starting a career at Camden County College as head of the guidance department for over 30 years, and eventually retiring in 1999.  Tuck and Yvonne raised their 4 children in his beloved hometown of Haddonfield, NJ where he enjoyed coaching his childrens sports, and served as the President of the HMHS Sports Boosters committee for many years.  Tuck had a strong respect for the outdoors and enjoyed many camping, hiking, canoeing and skiing adventures with friends and family throughout his life.  He could often be found at the gym religiously exercising or using his creative artistic talents with his love of painting, completing over 100 paintings.

His life’s work was to have a positive impact on others, truly finding value in building relationships.  He was a man that loved many things, but what he loved most in life was his family.   He was by far the definition of what a kind man should be, and the Greatest of fathers and as our mother would say “the salt of the earth.”  His legacy of compassion towards others as well as Great sense of humor will live on through those of us who have learned from him.  Tuck often repeated that he lived a great life and was so blessed,  but we are the ones blessed to have had him!  We are all grateful for the gift of him, we are his legacy, he lives within us forever and will continue to guide us from above.  We love you Dad!

Services for Tuck will be held privately by the family. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in Tuck’s name may be made to Interfaith Caregivers or to HMHS Class of ’53, (Checks made payable to Haddonfield Educational Trust, Class of ’53 on the memo line) and mail to HMHS, 401 Kings Highway E. Haddonfield, NJ 08033.