WEST BALDWIN – Melvin Walter Chamberlain, 90, of West Baldwin, passed away Jan. 21, 2005, in South Paris, Maine. For the past year, he had been a patient at the Maine Veterans Home, where he received excellent care in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Mr. Chamberlain was born in North Vassalboro, the son of Fred and Ruby (Moran) Chamberlain. He grew up in Bangor, where he attended St. Mary’s School and was graduated from John Bapst High School being a member of the first class to complete four full years in the then new school. He attended the University of Maine in Orono. Mr. Chamberlain was an Air Force veteran of World War II, working in communications. In 1947, he married the former Faustina Emery of Hampden and for a number of years they lived in Long Island, N.Y. and Stamford, Conn., returning to Maine to live in West Baldwin in 1960. Mr. Chamberlain worked in production and quality control for Sealtest Foods for 38 years, beginning his employment at the Simmons & Hammond plant in Bangor. He later worked in Schenectady, N.Y. and New York City. He was assistant entomologist for six years working out of the New York office. Before his retirement in 1979, Mel worked for eight years for Jordan Meats in Bangor as frozen food manager and sales specialist. He was an avid reader and ardent sports fan, especially of baseball and more specifically the Red Sox. He also enjoyed golf and hunting. For 50 years, he hunted every fall in the Township 32 area with his brother-in-law, the late Charlie Emery, who, with his brothers had a hunting camp there for many years. After his retirement, Mel spent many enjoyable summers feasting on lobsters at the family cottage on Gouldsboro Bay. He was a devout Catholic and communicant for many years of St. Matthew’s Church in Limerick. Survivors are his wife, Faustina Emery Chamberlain; two sons, Mark E. Chamberlain and his wife, Deborah, of Diamond Springs, Calif., and Bruce E. Chamberlain and his wife, Kathleen, of Monroe; a daughter, Joyce E. Egge, Lt. Col., USAF Ret. and her husband, William L. Egge, Lt. Col., USAF Ret., of Danbury, N.H.; four grandsons, John L. Chamberlain of San Bernardino, Calif., Matthew E. and Justin E. Chamberlain of Diamond Springs, Calif. and Nathan E. Chamberlain of Monroe; and a granddaughter, Caitlin E. Chamberlain of Monroe. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Charles Cassily of York; several nieces and nephews and their families. Mel was predeceased by his sisters, Ann Cassily and Margaret Chamberlain; and a brother, Raymond Chamberlain. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Feb. 5, 2005, at St. Matthews Catholic Church, Limerick, with the Rev. Nadeau, pastor, presider. Private burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Mel’s memory may be sent to the Margaret Chamberlain Scholarship Fund, care of Business Office, John Bapst High School, 100 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401. Arrangements are under the guidance of York Funeral Chapel, Cornish.
MELVIN WALTER CHAMBERLAIN
