Founder of SENESCO Marine Dies at 77 After a Long Illness

Richard B. Carpenter of North Kingstown passed away peacefully at home on May 18, 2015 after a long illness. A lawyer for over 45 years, he was also co-founder of SENESCO Marine, a shipbuilding company providing employment for over 300 RI workers. Richard was known for his personal integrity, his vast knowledge of history, his life-long love of sailing and his terrific sense of humor.

Born in Providence on June 15, 1937, he graduated from Cranston High in 1955 and went on to URI, where he was active in Phi Gamma Delta until graduating in 1960. That summer, he married Cynthia Peterson Carpenter, his wife of 55 years, with whom he had two daughters, Cristina and Erica.

In 1965, he graduated with Honors from Indiana University School of Law. He became a member of the RI Bar in May 1966, and from 1968-74 he was a partner at the Law Firm of Swan, Keaney and Jenckes while serving as Assistant Town Solicitor to Coventry and North Kingstown. He later served as Town Solicitor and Probate Court Judge. In 1976 he opened a private law practice in Wickford, advocating for quahoggers and bankers, teachers and doctors, families and businesses until retiring in 2010.

In 1994, moved by the drain of industrial jobs from RI, he became co-founder and incorporator of Southeastern New England Shipbuilding Corporation (now SENESCO Marine LLC), which manufactures tugs and barges on a site occupying two WWII-era hangars and the former carrier pier at Quonset Point. He fought to secure funding for the company, and later served as President, Senior VP of Marketing and Sales, and Board member. He often spoke before the US Maritime Administration on shipyard revitalization and ship finance.

Local community service included: St. Paul’s Church (vestryman), South County Hospital (trustee), Historic Wickford (founding member; president), and Cocumscussoc Assoc. (board member; president). He served as legal advisor to South County Habitat for Humanity, Bayside Health Center, and Laymen in the NK Schools. He was a member of the RI & Washington County Bar Associations, Rotary International, and the Propeller Club. A long-term member of Wickford Yacht Club, he was a past Commodore, board and race committee member, and keen contender in the club’s catboat, frostbiting and Wednesday night races. His chief joy was sailing with his family. He was also an avid history enthusiast who enjoyed bird-spotting, painting, gardening and his dogs.

Richard leaves behind his wife Cynthia; daughter Cristina Sevin and her husband PT of Annapolis, MD; daughter Erica Carpenter and husband Erik Carlson of Cranston; grandchildren Lily and Isaac Sevin and Ilsa Carlson; brother Ken Carpenter and wife Suzy, of Cocoa, FL; and brother Fred Carpenter and his wife Janice, of Jamestown. All are deeply indebted to the network of extended family and friends who dauntlessly supported him and Cynthia in his final years. Funeral services conducted by Cranston-Murphy Funeral Home of Wickford will be held at 2:00pm on May 29 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Wickford. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration: www.theaftd.org. For online messages of condolences, kindly visit www.CranstonMurphy.com