Obituaries

Bill Carpenter, the 48th Mayor of the City of Brockton, has died. He was 62.

Mayor Carpenter was a tireless champion of his beloved City of Champions. A 32-year resident of the city, he served more than five years in the job that he loved and worked at it nearly twenty hours per day. His indefatigable and infectious approach to governing had created unprecedented momentum and urban renewal in the city’s downtown, and a sense of optimism that buoyed the city and its residents. The Mayor’s signature laugh and inerasable smile will be an indelible memory for Brocktonians for generations to come.

The Mayor grew up in Marshfield, MA and was the only son of William G. Jr. and Elaine Carpenter. His father passed in June at the age of 92. Prior to becoming Mayor, Bill served four years as the Ward 5 representative to the Brockton School Committee. He also has been known as the former radio voice of Brockton High Sports for 17 years and as a radio talk show host, first on WBET and then on WXBR. He is also widely known as a former professional boxing ring announcer, having announced over 100 nationally televised fight cards. He lived a rich and colorful life, always in service to others, always building relationships.

Among many important accomplishments, the Mayor established and led an All-Star economic development team which has developed a long-term vision for Brockton’s future and has included professional planning methods and a modern blueprint that continues to guide the City’s forward trajectory. That recipe for successful economic development has been celebrated widely by the community as an effective strategy that has helped Brockton turn the corner. The steady implementation of this vision has enabled the City to attract investment of all kinds and lock major development deals; generating over $150 million in new downtown development and over $357 million in permitted construction projects taking place just this year.

Mayor Carpenter is also credited for substantially increasing investment in public safety by increasing personnel and adopting 21st century crime-fighting strategies that have helped lower violent crime by double digits. He is well known for making local government more user-friendly for all residents by addressing burdensome regulations and bringing technology to City Hall and in the hands of constituents.

Mayor Carpenter was a nationally recognized innovator in substance use treatment and was also recognized nationally for his advocacy in funding for public education. He is known state-wide as a leader in fighting the Opioid Crisis and was the only Mayor selected by Governor Baker to serve on the Governor's Opioid Addiction Working Group. During Mayor Carpenter’s second term, he created “The Champion Plan” – a police assisted recovery program helping those with substance use disorders obtain addiction treatment. More than 700 people have been served by this life-saving plan, representing some of the thousands of lives that have been touched by the passion and dedication of Mayor Bill Carpenter. His legacy lives on through them.

As much as he loved being Mayor, Bill Carpenter’s true passion in life was being a dad to his six children and six grandchildren. He was a devoted advocate and champion for them all. He leaves behind his six children; Bill, IV. and wife Ana, Ryan, Brady, Mack, Curran and only daughter Delainey. He also leaves behind his significant other, Juli Smith-Caldwell. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Champion Plan, c/o the office of the Mayor, 45 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301.


Mayor Bill Carpenter will Lie In State on THURSDAY, July 11th from 12:00PM-6:00PM in the Brockton City Hall Rotunda, 45 School St., Brockton.

Funeral services will be held on FRIDAY, July 12th at 11:00AM in the Brockton High School Auditorium, 470 Forest Avenue, Brockton.

Funeral procession will pass by Brockton City Hall on MONDAY at 10:30AM en route to his final resting place. (All are welcome to meet outside City Hall on School Street for the final farewell to Mayor Bill Carpenter)

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Champion Plan, c/o the office of the Mayor, 45 School Street, Brockton, MA 02301.

***SPECIAL NOTES***

The Public is invited to Mayor Bill Carpenter's services at City Hall and the Brockton High School. His burial is PRIVATE.

For those attending City Hall, parking is available (Free of Charge) at the Brockton City Garage at the corner of Main Street & Crescent Street, both side of Main Street, behind Joe Angelo's Cafe and the School Department on Crescent Street.

The public will be guided to enter Brockton City Hall on the South Side of the building through the handicap entrance.

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