Joseph (Joe) R. Chapman, 84, of Warren, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Sept. 24 at his home surrounded by his family. Joe was born Nov. 30, 1928 in Warren, the son of Leland Chapman and Flora Nichols Norwood.
He attended Warren and Thomaston schools until at the age of 17 when he followed his older brother Bill into the U.S. Navy. He served two years aboard the light cruiser USS Duluth 87 where on May 7, 1947 he was subpoenaed by His Majesty, Neptunus Rex and his Royal Court for “Wearing a silly smile all the time,” whereas he became a shellback at age 18. He often shared the story of witnessing the only flight of “The Spruce Goose” piloted by Howard Hughes, while his ship was docked in Long Beach, Cal.
On Dec. 24, 1949 he married Joyce A. Simmons of Friendship. They were married for nearly 64 years, making their home and raising their five children in Warren. For 42 years Joe was employed by Marine Colloids/FMC in Rockland where he worked as a lab technician.
In his younger days he was very active and involved with sports, playing baseball for the town of Warren and Algin (Marine Colloids). Over the years he coached numerous Warren High School sports teams as well as Little League and Babe Ruth teams where he had a reputation as a no-nonsense coach who got results and earned the respect from the boys he coached. He was a lifetime member of the Rockland Elks Lodge, playing on the horseshoe team for many years.
Following his retirement in December 1990 he and his wife spent their winters in Largo, Fla. and summers at the camp on North Pond in Warren.
Joe is predeceased by his parents, Leland and Flora; and sons, Larry and Kenneth.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce of Warren; daughter, Sandra Chapman of Union; sons, Jeffrey of Topsham, and Robin of Vassalboro; “Canadian son,” Luc Goudreau and wife Diane; brother, William Chapman and wife Judi of Warren; sisters, Arlene Haskell and husband Eric of Winslow, and Irene Power and husband Tom of China; grandchildren, Jennifer Chapman, Matthew Chapman, Carrie Stone, Brooke Grondin, Shannon Orne, Kurt Chapman, Monica Moore, and Justin Chapman; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Family and friends are warmly invited to a celebration of Joe’s life at 6 p.m., Tues., Oct. 1 at the Warren Baptist Church, 166 Main St., Warren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice program, 170 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841.