Donald Chappell's Obituary
Donald L. Chappell of Union, Connecticut, husband of Hazel (Barrington) Chappell, died on February 26, 2013 at 90 years of age. Born in Willimantic, Connecticut on September 13, 1922, he had 4 brothers and 1 sister who have all predeceased Don. Known as "Don" to all friends and family, including his two children, Raymond E. Chappell and his wife Sarah "Sally" (Estell) Chappell of Union, Connecticut, and Suzanne (Chappell) Mercure of Fredericksburg, Virginia, he was a well-liked boss, friend, and community member perhaps best known for his "hi" signal reserved for friends. Don's terrific sense of humor is a much noted "sixth sense" that he maintained throughout his life. Don married Hazel on August 14, 1943 and expressed his love for Hazel for the duration of their 69 years of marriage even stating that "the one who goes first is the lucky one". D Day has special meaning in the Chappell family since Don and Hazel moved to Union on June 6, 1944. He was involved in Union town activities including as a founder and Chief of the Union Volunteer Fire Department. Perhaps it is this fire department support served as a training event with his children and a close family friend that started with water pistols, moved to the garden hose, and ended up with back water tanks for longer reaches. Don was owner of Barrington Chappell starting as a logging and lumber mill company with his father-in-law, Charles P. Barrington. Don managed the business and grew the lumber production into other services including chain saw sales and service, lawn and garden equipment, and products including picnic tables and garden sheds. These sheds can still be seen throughout the local area in numerous yards since his unique design and quality have been well used and preserved over the years. His self-learned abilities to build were also demonstrated in the home he built in Union for his family. Don also worked for over 10 years at Nelson Freightways in Ellington, CT, where he showed his keen work ethic and sense of humor. Toys for Don included heavy equipment for the business, a fleet of lawn mowers for yard work, snow mobiles, and scooters. The equipment came in handy one year for rolling 6 foot high snow balls in the yard! Don's humor was revealed in numerous ways including placing select "gifts" under the Christmas tree at the LBA sponsored Christmas event. This practice was stopped when the LBA did an inspection and check list of the gifts to assure that only their list was used by Santa. So much for fun! Honoring Don's wishes, there will be no funeral services. Contributions to the Union Volunteer Fire Dept. (1049 Buckley Hwy., Union, CT 06076) in Don's name are appreciated. Friends and family will remember Don with love and humor and use of his sayings and "hi" to honor his life. Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., Stafford Springs, CT, has care of the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com
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