Born in Peabody, Massachusetts on October 11, 1926, he was the eldest son of Joseph Campbell Chandler Sr. and Ruth Gourley Chandler.
He graduated from Canaan High School, Canaan, New Hampshire, and went on to serve his country in the Army Air Corps earning a Victory Medal in World War II. He later attended the University of New Hampshire where he was a member of the fraternity Alpha Tau Omega and graduated with a degree in business. He received his Masters degree in education from Salem State College.
In 1956 he married Fabia Bowman and settled in Peabody, MA where he owned and operated the family business, Chandler’s Ice Cream in Peabody, for many years. Joseph began his teaching career at Briscoe Junior High School in Beverly, MA, and taught U.S. History and served as assistant principal for several years, until his retirement in 1987.
Joseph spent summers at his camp in Naples, ME that he built in 1964 making much of the furniture himself. He restored a wooden sailboat and enjoyed many summer days sailing on Brandy Pond. An avid outdoorsman, Joe loved fishing, hunting and skeet shooting. He was a talented craftsman and woodworker. He also loved music and played the guitar.
In 1987, Joseph and Fabia left Peabody and moved to Athens, ME to enjoy country pursuits. He was happiest in his workshop building furniture, checkering gunstocks, and woodcarving. Joe was adored by his family including his wife, two children, six grandchildren and one great grandson. He will be remembered by his family for his loving devotion to his wife, Fabia for 56 years.
Joseph is survived by his wife, Fabia, his son Joseph K. Chandler and his wife Ruth of Hortense, GA, and his daughter Jennifer L. Laurent, of Stratham, NH. He is also survived by his brother George and sister-in-law Ann Chandler of Danvers, MA, his grandchildren: Katie, Amy-Jo, Melanie, Joseph, Brittany, and Stephanie, his great grandson, Gideon.
Viewing hours will be held on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with a burial to follow at the Mount Rest Cemetery in Athens, Maine, with the Rev. Richard Haynie Officiating.
Donations may be made in Joseph’s memory to the Activity Fund, Cedar Ridge Center, 23 Dr. Mann Road, Skowhegan, Maine 04976.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18