John T. Carter

John T. "Pat" Carter, age 92, passed away peacefully in the Norwood Hospital in Norwood, Massachusetts on Saturday, November 5, 2016. Born in South Boston, Massachusetts on May 22, 1924, he was the son of the late John and Delia "Bridget" (Ridge) Carter. He was raised in Southie and graduated from South Boston High School with the Class of 1941. After graduation, John took a position as a longshoreman before the outbreak of World War II, when he enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served his country in both the European and Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations and was honorably discharged in November of 1945.

John returned to his hometown of Southie and began working as a meat cutter at the Supreme Market in Boston. In 1947, he met his soon to be wife, Mary E. Bennett, after being set up by mutual friends. They were married on June 4, 1949 in Saint Augustine's Church in South Boston and made their home together in Southie.

In 1952, John joined the Boston Police Department and was assigned to Station 10 at Roxbury Crossing as a patrolman, the same year he moved to Dorchester. 9 years later, he earned a detective position with the department, working alongside his partner, Alan Crisp. As his career began to flourish, in 1962, he moved his young family to Hyde Park.

John had a long and distinguished career as a detective with the Boston Police Department, working on many high-profile cases, including the Plymouth Mail Robbery, the Boston Strangler, and the Homer Jewelry case, for which he was awarded the BPD Medal of Honor. He also served as a body guard for several officials on their various visits to Boston, including Senator Ted Kennedy, Pope John Paul, II, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Grace of Monaco, Princess Caroline, Fidel Castro, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, and Barry Goldwater. John worked for many year with the organized crime unit and as a member of the Emerald Society, he marched in the 1977 Dublin Saint Patrick's Day Parade. He retired in 1982, after 30 years of dedicated service to the Boston Police Department and the citizens of Boston.

He did not stay retired for long as he and his partner, Alan, started Celtic Security together in Hyde Park, which they operated until 1997. A year later, John and Mary settled into their new home in Walpole, where John took wonderful care of his wife after she suffered a stroke.

John enjoyed spending time at local casinos and could always pick a winning horse at Plainridge, Wonderland, or Suffolk Downs. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following baseball, the New England Patriots and the Boston Bruins. Recalling lessons learned from his days as a meat cutter, John was a grill master, often cutting his own steaks. Most of all, John loved the time that he spent with his family and friends.

Beloved husband of Mary E. (Bennett) Carter.
Loving father of John T. Carter, Jr. and his wife Arleen (Hart) of Walpole, Mark F. Carter and his wife Carole (Ferraro) of Groton, and Karen E. Carter and her husband Stephen Johnson of Walpole.
Cherished grandfather of Matthew A. Carter of Groton, Michael C. Carter of Walpole, and Lauren C. Carter of Groton.
Brother of Patrick Carter of South Boston, the late Mary Joyce, Catherine Carter, Theresa O'Neil, Barbara Logue, Martin Carter, and James Carter.
Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend John's Life Celebration on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 from 4-8 PM and Wednesday, November 9, 2016 from 9-9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Boys and Girls Club, 230 W 6th St, South Boston, MA 02127.