FITCHBURG, Mass.—Rev. Donald P. Carter, 85, of Fitchburg, died Tuesday, Feb. 19 in the Health Alliance Leominster hospital.
He was born in Pulaski on July 17, 1927, a son of the late George H. and Ethel J. (Harris) Carter.
After his graduation from high school Donald joined the U.S. Army in 1945 and began a long and distinguished career which spanned over 25 years. During his military career he served in the Medic al Corps in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and retired with the rank of 1st Sergeant E8. Donald was stationed in the United States, France, Germany, Austria, Panama and Thailand.
Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, Donald was ordained into the ministry in August of 1970. From 1971 to 1972 he was an assistant pastor at the Patriot s Congregational Church in Ft. Devens and became the Pastor from 1972 to 1984. In 1984, he founded the Rose ofSharon Christian Center on Main St. and retired from there in 1993. Throughout the years in his ministry, Rev. Carter focused on several different areas of counseling. He also volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and was very active in several youth programs.
He leaves his wife of 57 years, Elisabeth A. (Bochorak) Carter; his eight children, Elly M. Dato, Donald P. Carter Jr., Elisabeth M. Calloway, Debra A. Carter, Evelyn G. Carter, Brenda J. Simmons and her husband, Barry, Masie I. Brown and her husband, Charles and William C. Carter; nine grandchildren, Leslie A. Cosme, Trista R. Harris, Tanya M. Vaughn, Serena Calloway, Ashley E. Brown, Angela N. Brown, Barry E. Simmons Jr., Tiffany C.E. Carter, and Nicholas L. Ridgel; seven great-grandchildren, Jordan W. Cosme, Nia I. Harris, Marcus A. Harris, Nicco W. Cosma, Brandon C. Brown, Illiana A.E. Thayer, and Isaiah Vaughn.
He is predeceased by a daughter, Ethel A. Carter, a brother, Nathaniel C. Cater, and a sister, Arlene G. Crosby.
His funeral was celebrated Friday, Feb. 22, 11:30 a.m. in the Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd. Burial was in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.
Announced locally by by Penn’s Funeral Home, Pulaski.
Georgine Girouard
March 4, 2013 at 7:23 am
Paster Rev donald Carter ,to me and my famaily he was a great man .he would give us good advice ,and we would have long talk about the lord Jesus Christ ,he has gone to be with the lord ,thank yaster Carter,enjoy your new place in Heaven.