MAPLETON – Donald Richard Chase, 70, died unexpectedly Nov. 20, 2005, at a Bangor hospital. He was born Dec. 30, 1934, in Westfield, the son of Lewis and Pearline (Lovering) Chase. He graduated from Mapleton High School in 1954. He married Harriett Gamblin of Mapleton, June 2, 1961. He was a lifelong farmer, operating a dairy farm on Creasey Ridge Road until his retirement in 1999. He was a good man, honest and hardworking, with a kind heart and a quick wit. “Donnie,” as he was known to many, loved to joke around with and tease those he loved the most. He was devoted to his family and the dairy farm passed down to him by his father. He enjoyed the outdoors, whether on a tractor baling hay or on snowmobile or four- wheeler with his wife, son and/or grandsons. He was a skilled carpenter who enjoyed working with wood and building things with precision and attention to detail. He enjoyed numerous camping trips and card games with family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Harriett (Gamblin) Chase; a son, Jeffrey Chase; two daughters, Tammy Chase and Wendy Michaud and her husband, Dana, all of Mapleton; a brother, Vaughn Chase and his wife, Laura, of Mapleton; two sisters, Carrie Swiencki of North Richland Hill, Texas and Judy Vinci of Glastonbury, Conn.; three grandchildren, Chase, Hunter and Taylor Michaud of Mapleton; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father in 1991; his mother in 2004; his brother-in-law, John Swiencki; special friends, Ron Doody, Clement King, Jack Churchill and “Pudgie” McLaughlin. Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Fairmount Cemetery in Presque Isle, with Bill Gamblin presiding. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, Portland Office, 163 Lancaster St., Portland, ME 04101 or to the Mapleton Elementary School Library, 1642 Main St., Mapleton, ME 04757. Arrangements in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home.
DONALD R. CHASE
