Obituary of John Carpenito

John J. Carpenito, Jr., retired Co-owner of the 5 C’s Wholesale Produce Company and the Big C Fruit Bowl passed away at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center on Saturday morning, October 8, 2011. He was 80 years old. John was born in Melrose, the son of the late John and Rose Carpenito. He grew up and was educated in Medford. He was a graduate of Medford High School Class of 1948. He served in the Army from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed in Germany. He remained in the Army Reserves for 5 more years after his discharge. In the 1950’s, John and his brothers founded the 5 C’s , and in the 1960’s opened their retail store, the Big C Fruit Bowl. At the company’s peak, they employed over a 100 people. It was truly a family business. John and his brothers worked together, sharing in their success as well as cementing their brotherly bond. It was a rite of passage that their children work for them for a period as well so they could appreciate the importance of hard work and customer loyalty. They all had the same goal, to grow their company and offer their retail and wholesale customers the highest quality produce available. The company was also very good to its employees and helped many Medford High Students work their way thru school. In the end, the business was more like a large extended Carpenito family, than a workplace. John was a vibrant person outside of work as well. He was an avid golfer and in his later years enjoyed sharing his passion with his grandchildren. He was a member of several bowling leagues. He loved saltwater fishing. He went dancing with his wife and friends every Saturday night. He loved his home and meticulously worked around his yard. He enjoyed swimming and his pool and backyard was often the gathering spot of many Carpenito gatherings and parties. He loved his family and worked hard to be a good provider and role model to his children and grandchildren. John’s passing leaves great emptiness in his family’s hearts, but countless lasting memories. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. John was the beloved husband of 55 years of Josephine M. (Tavilla). He was the loving father of Denise Gentile & her husband Louis of Woburn, John G & his wife Susan of N. Andover, Anthony of Waban, David of Burlington, and Maria of Lowell. He was the brother of Anthony & his wife Lena of Methuen, Phil & his wife Eleanor of Medford, Edward & his wife Connie of Stoneham, the late George and Patrick. He was the brother-in-law of Theresa Carpenito of Stoneham, Ann Lynch of Revere, Stefana, Tony, & Mary Tavilla all of Boston, and the late Betty Carpenito. He was the proud grandfather of Danielle & Christopher Gentile, Dean, Brandon, Cameron, Gianna, Michael, and Olivia Carpenito. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan funeral home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday, October 13 at 9 a.m. Followed by a mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine haven cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in John’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.