Clergy

The Reverend James R. (Jim) Bocchino, Interim Rector

The Reverend James R. (Jim) Bocchino was born in Barrington. His family moved to Warren where Jim attended public school. He graduated from Warren High School in 1968 where he lettered in football, wrestling and track and field and was a member of the band and drama club. Jim attended Wagner College in Staten Island, New York where he was a member of the varsity football team and Theta Chi fraternity. He graduated in 1972 with a degree in Economics and Business Administration with a minor in Secondary Education.

Jim had a very varied work experience before ordination. He worked as a police officer, an accountant, and managed his family's business in Warren. He was a member of the Rhode Island Army National Guard for 7 years and the United States Naval Reserve for 3 years. Jim graduated from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1984. Bishop George Hunt ordained him to the diaconate in June 1984 and to the priesthood in March 1985. He worked as the Assistant at St. Mary's Church in Portsmouth until October 1987. He was then called as rector of All Saints' Memorial Church in Providence where he served for 21 years before coming here to St. John's as Interim Rector. He has served on many diocesan committees and commissions and has been very involved in youth ministry.

Jim is married to Barbara (Barbe) Fox who is a math teacher in North Providence where they live. He has three stepchildren, Tom, Bob and Jean Ann Douglass. Tom is an actuary for Blue Cross of Rhode Island and he and his wife, Kristen, are the parents of Jim's grandson, Jacen. Bob is an investment banker with Barclay's Bank in Manhattan. Jean Ann is going to Brooklyn College to obtain her MFA while working as the Program Assistant at the Joyce Theater (Soho) in Manhattan.

Jim is an avid reader and particularly enjoys science fiction/fantasy and historical novels. He also refinishes furniture as a hobby and loves to sing. He and Barbe enjoy bicycling, kayaking and hiking. They spend most of their vacation time in the Adirondack Mountains where they have a home and where they plan to retire someday.

The Reverend Susan M. Carpenter, Associate Rector

Susan was born in Providence, RI and grew up in Scituate, RI. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Rhode Island College in Education. She has recently graduated from The General Theological Seminary in NYC with her Master of Divinity degree.

Susan is married to her high school sweetheart, Brian Carpenter, and they have been married for 34 years. He owns Long Realty and is a specialist in selling country farms and acreage. They have two sons, Scott and Peter. Peter is married to Bethany Lawton and they are the parents of Nathan Bradford.

Susan first worked as a teacher in the Scituate School system as a sixth grade teacher. They lived in Glocester for 30 years on a 50 acre farm, and while the boys were young, she left teaching and opened "Cherry Valley Herb Farm". She built a retail shop, greenhouse and display gardens where she taught classes and workshops on many herbal topics. She also founded and ran the RI Herb Festival, an annual event from 1998 – 2004.

Susan has been active for many years at her home parish of Trinity, North Scituate in many roles. She has been active in the wider church community in the Central Deanery as well as serving on the Diocesan Council and Executive Council.

Susan's personal interests include creating anything with glass – particularly stained glass and making copper and glass jewelry. She is also fascinated by all things herbal, cooking, and traveling. She is also a voracious reader – as evidenced by her large collection of books – AND her Amazon.com statements!