Greece, NY: Passed away on August 21, 2020 at age 100. Predeceased by his loving wife Anna Blaine Kinne Chappelle of 62 years and infant son, George Baldwin Chappelle (2 mos.), sister Marjorie Sicke (Lon), brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law James Kinne (Helen), Charles Kinne (Ruth), Bill Wilson (Edith Kinne Wilson). Survived by daughters Carol Goetschius (Tom), Orlando, Fla, Joan Chappelle (Bob Burkowski), Hilton, NY, grandsons, Scott Goetschius (Lucy), Mark Halldow (Tammy), Brandon Goetschius (Brett Giardiello), step grandchildren, Steve Burkowski and Cindy Burkowski (Jeremy Gibney) great-grandson, Dustin Halldow, many nephews and nieces, and his cat, Kiki, who was always at his side.
George was the son of George and Thelma (Bowers) Chappelle of Waterloo, NY. George graduated from Waterloo High School in 1937. He attended Roosevelt Aviation School at Mineola, L.I. NY and graduated with a U.S. aircraft and engine license in 1938. He was then employed by Fairchild Airplane Corp. in Hagerstown, MD., where he helped build the first PT-19 airplane, a primary trainer for the U.S. Army Air Corps. He returned to Waterloo and married his high school sweetheart, Anna Blaine Kinne. He was employed as a machinist at Goulds Pumps, Inc. in Seneca Falls, NY until 1943 when he returned to Roosevelt Field to accept a position as hanger foreman to modify Grumman Navy “Wildcats”, “Hellcats”, and Chance Vought “Corsairs” to British Royal Air Force specifications.
He entered navy service in 1944, with boot training at Sampson Naval Training Center. As “honor man” of his company, he was able to choose Control Tower Operator School in Atlanta, GA. Graduating from there, he served on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. White Plains and seaplane tender Pokomoke and Acorn 34, an aircraft service unit at Clark Field in the Philippines.
After his navy service, he returned to Long Island and became plant manager for Lunn Laminates, a new company in the field of reinforced plastics. The company built all the 1953 Corvette bodies for General motors from this new plastic. Evenings, George made and improved the methods of manufacturing polo mallets for a Westbury L.I. NY saddlery. He also obtained a solo pilot’s license to fly solo an S-3 Piper Cub at Commack L.I. NY flying field. George left Long Island in 1957 to join Eastman Kodak Co. to offer his experience in this new field of plastics. He was employed as a consultant and eventually became a supervisor in the Material Engineering Lab in B23, Kodak Park. George purchased a home near Pultneyville, NY and entered into many community activities. George and Anna were avid golfers and joined the Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club. George served as greens chairman, and as the club increased from 9 to 18 holes, became president from 1969-1970. George joined the Ontario March Kings Band, RGE, and Webster Concert bands playing trombone. He loved ‘40’s to ‘60’s dance music and ended up playing 20 years with the Gates Swingers Big Band in Gates, NY. George retired from Kodak in 1983.
To those at Fleming Point, Unity Hospital, Transitional Care, and Lifetime Care: Thank you to all that cared for our father during this difficult time…you are all heroes.
George was a kind and gentle man and wonderful father and husband. Anyone that knew him was entertained by his great sense of humor and was loved by them and will be sorely missed. He studied the history of the Civil War, and when a soldier was lost, they would say “Strike the tent.” That is dad’s request, so we say “Strike the tent.” He also wanted to say “He had a nice ride.”
There will be a service at a later date. Cremation with burial next to his wife and son at Maple Grove Cemetery in Waterloo, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450.