NATICK: John W. Chapin 83, of Natick died Sunday March 23, 2014 at the Kindred Health Care- Metro West Medical Center in Natick. He was the beloved husband of Alva L (Young) Chapin, sharing 57 years of marriage.
A Natick resident for 57 years, he was born in Lowell, the son of the late Dr. Harold Canning Chapin and Pauline (Durfee) Chapin.
Mr. Chapin was an Electrical Engineer and began his career at the Natick Army Labs, and later worked at Honeywell, GTE Sylvania, and Data General, retiring in 1993. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, (IEEE).
He was a Master Mason for 55 years, joining the Meridian Lodge in Natick in 1958. He was Master of Maugus Hill Lodge in Wellesley in 1978-1980 and Senior Grand Deacon at the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1980. He was a member of both the York and Scottish Rites, Chapter, Council, and Commandery, a member of Aurora Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and past Advisory Board member of Natick Assembly #28, and the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, in support of his daughters.
Mr. Chapin was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Natick, serving as Deacon for many years. Along with his wife, he regularly attended Bible Studies and enjoyed many lunches with his church friends, until his last days.
Mr. Chapin was a 1948 graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and has been a longtime supportive Alumnus. He went on to study at Harvard where he was a member of Adams House. He was a Drill Sergeant with the USMC during the Korean War, stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, and received a degree in Electrical Engineering from Lowell Technical College upon his return to Massachusetts. He was a member of the Omicron Pi fraternity.
A tenth generation descendant of Deacon Samuel Chapin, one of the original settlers of Springfield, MA, Mr. Chapin could also trace his history to Mayflower passengers John and Priscilla Alden, as well as Paul Revere and a number of heroes of the American Revolution and Civil War. He enjoyed studying New England history, Biblical history, and doing crossword puzzles in pen. He was known for his generosity, kind nature, and sense of humor.
In addition to his wife he is survived by three children, Heather A. Estey and her husband Curt of Bristol VT, John W. Chapin Jr. and his wife Susan of Arnold, MD, and Holly E. Plourde and her husband Ken of Upton; five grandchildren, Megan Butterfield and her husband Ben, Alexander Estey, Hayley Chapin, Colleen Chapin, and Natalie Plourde; one great-grandchild, Everett Butterfield; one sister, Elizabeth (Chapin) Heath of PA; and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Edward C. Chapin of Manchester, CT and Nancy O. Chapin of Brookline, MA.
John’s Memorial Service will be announced at a later date.