Obituary for George S. Chappell
ROCKLAND - George Stanley Chappell, 82, died Feb 21, 2019 at Bella Point in Camden, Maine. He was born Feb 10, 1937 in Providence RI, to George and Virginia (Hamm) Chappell.
George was a poet, teacher, storyteller, and voracious reader. He was always trying to be a better human being and friend to people and nature. He was a devoted loving partner to Frances Mary Vigeant.
George graduated from Moses Brown School in 1955 where he excelled in track, winning the New England championship in the half-mile. He served in the US Coast Guard, graduated from The University of Maine in 1968 and then the University of Pennsylvania with a Masters in Folklore in 1969.
George worked as a teacher for a number of years before turning to journalism. He started his own newspaper in Turner Falls, MA and later worked for a number of news organizations in Massachusetts and Maine including a period as editor of the Aroostook Republican. Late in life, he returned to school and earned a Masters in Poetry from Goddard College. He published three books of poetry in which he frankly preserved his view of the world, the people he loved, and his own humanity.
For years he taught a weekly writing class for veterans. He often spoke with great joy about the accomplishments of his students. He had a wide circle of friends and could often be found at poetry readings around Maine. He was a good friend of Bill W.
He is survived by his first wife, Cynthia Osowski, their two sons Jon S of Freehold, NJ, David A of Webster, MA; his two sons George T of Trenton ME, and Geoffrey S of Belfast ME, from his second wife of 38 years, Inger Ovestad Larsen, who predeceased him in 2003; brother Thomas M of Kennebunk ME and sister Elizabeth C Hale of Sandwich MA; loving partner Frances Mary Vigeant; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and potluck reception with ample storytelling will be held at The Episcopal Church of St. John Baptist, 200 Main St., Thomaston, ME Saturday March 2 at 2:00 PM.
From George’s poem A Walk by Rockland Harbor:
“Meanwhile, a light at the end of a long
breakwater serves to guide mariners home.”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Vassalboro Friends Meeting, Box 150, So. China, ME 04358.
George was a poet, teacher, storyteller, and voracious reader. He was always trying to be a better human being and friend to people and nature. He was a devoted loving partner to Frances Mary Vigeant.
George graduated from Moses Brown School in 1955 where he excelled in track, winning the New England championship in the half-mile. He served in the US Coast Guard, graduated from The University of Maine in 1968 and then the University of Pennsylvania with a Masters in Folklore in 1969.
George worked as a teacher for a number of years before turning to journalism. He started his own newspaper in Turner Falls, MA and later worked for a number of news organizations in Massachusetts and Maine including a period as editor of the Aroostook Republican. Late in life, he returned to school and earned a Masters in Poetry from Goddard College. He published three books of poetry in which he frankly preserved his view of the world, the people he loved, and his own humanity.
For years he taught a weekly writing class for veterans. He often spoke with great joy about the accomplishments of his students. He had a wide circle of friends and could often be found at poetry readings around Maine. He was a good friend of Bill W.
He is survived by his first wife, Cynthia Osowski, their two sons Jon S of Freehold, NJ, David A of Webster, MA; his two sons George T of Trenton ME, and Geoffrey S of Belfast ME, from his second wife of 38 years, Inger Ovestad Larsen, who predeceased him in 2003; brother Thomas M of Kennebunk ME and sister Elizabeth C Hale of Sandwich MA; loving partner Frances Mary Vigeant; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and potluck reception with ample storytelling will be held at The Episcopal Church of St. John Baptist, 200 Main St., Thomaston, ME Saturday March 2 at 2:00 PM.
From George’s poem A Walk by Rockland Harbor:
“Meanwhile, a light at the end of a long
breakwater serves to guide mariners home.”
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Vassalboro Friends Meeting, Box 150, So. China, ME 04358.