Philip Dean “Grumpy” Chapman, 76, a longtime resident of Natick, passed away unexpectedly on September 13, 2012 at the Metro West Medical Center. He was the beloved husband of Carolyn M. (Kehoe) Chapman who passed away in November, 2011 and with whom he shared 54 years of marriage.
Born in Newport, VT, the son of the late Duncan and Irene (Sylvester) Chapman, Mr. Chapman spent the early years of his childhood in West Haven, CT before settling in Natick. He was educated in the Natick Public Schools and was a graduate of Natick High School - Class of 1956. He entered the United States Air Force on July 31, 1956 and served honorably until his discharge on July 30, 1960 with the rank of Airman Second Class. Mr. Chapman worked with his father at the Duncan G. Chapman Vacuum business in Natick Center for a number of years before founding Edra-Chapman Company which he was still operating at the time of his passing. He was a past commander of the Grand Commandery, A.F. & A.M. of Waltham, now of Natick, a member of the Meridian Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Natick, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Natick Elks, and a member of the Rusty Rails Garden Train Club. Mr. Chapman was a devoted family man who adored his wife, children and grandchildren as well as his train garden and playing cards.
He is survived by his 2 devoted daughters, Debora Bisson and her husband Robert of West Barnet, VT and Elizabeth “Liz” Donahue and her husband Mark of Natick; 4 cherished grandchildren, Katherine Shaw, Brendon Donahue, Todd Bisson, and Ashlee Bisson; 2 adored great-grandchildren, Rabecca and Cameron; and his dear brother, Duncan Chapman and his wife Lynn of Harvard. He was the brother-in-law of Susan Guzman and her husband Manuel of Puerto Rico and William Heavey and his wife Vicky of Wareham and is also survived by many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend Mr. Chapman’s funeral service in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St. (at Natick Common) Natick on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 10:30 AM. Burial with military honors will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, South Natick. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, September 17, 2012 from 4-8 PM. Those wishing to remember Mr. Chapman may do so through memorial donations to the Natick Elks Scholarship Fund, 95 Speen St. Natick, MA 01760.