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.
Sending my condolences to George’s family. I enjoy everyday taking care of him. He was an amazing person with an amazing heart
Thank you, Michelle! You are a special person. And we so appreciate your care of our father.
My condolences. I worked with George as a fill in secretary in the Materials Lab. He was a very nice man.
Thank you, Pat. Dad loved working at Kodak and the people that were there.
Loved reading about his life. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Sharon. Our hearts are broken, but healing slowly.
Joan,
So sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏
Thank you, Sharon.
We will always miss George who was a big part of our lives. He gave our son Joe a trombone to help along his music, delighted us with his “Backhouse” slides show, Civil War interest, stories, jokes and good-natured discourse. George was the kind of soul would made one’s time with him better. In fact, he made the world a better place for his being there. We will always miss him.
Thank you, Susannah. You and Paul are also a big and lovely part of our lives.
I’ll miss my yearly birthday call from George this October as well as my February birthday call to George in February. A long tradition for us. George joined the RG&E Big Band when Tedo D’Aurizio was conductor and continued for may years when I kept the Band going. He always had a joke (many times a repeat, such as the one with the punch line “FedUp” and another where God’s nickname is “Andy”). I have one of the many spinning pop bottles with butterflies inside he made for me along with a nice letter. I knew he was still driving at 98 years old; he said it was “better than walking”. George was saddened when his fellow trombone player and fellow golfer (for 40 yrs) Ron Bowk’s passed away unexpectedly. George has two wonderful daughters and has said many times, “There was a war in between daughters, hence the 4 yr age difference”.
George along with too many wonderful musicians have passed away, but I’m so grateful to have known him and the others. Their music still sings in my heart.
Thank you so much, David., for these rememberances. The band was such a big part of dad’s life, and he was disappointed that he couldn’t keep it up,…he missed his band mates. He even mentioned Ron in his hospital bed when he knew this was the end. I hope he was greeted by Ron.
I am very sorry for your loss. I met George when I had the pleasure of meeting him as I work for Lifetime Care. At our last therapy visit he gave me a wonderful gift, a handmade pop bottle spinner with butterflies in it. I proudly hang it in my plum tree and everyone loves it. I am so proud to say George Chappelle made it and he put his little sticker on it. I will save his obituary picture and always remember him with a big smile. He was one of my all time favorite patients and I am honored to have met him. Sending much love!
Thank you, Shelly. You and Lifetime Care are a godsend. You are very special people and we very much appreciate what you did for our father.
So sorry for your loss, as you know he was a great guy and will be missed by all how knew him.
Thank you Carol. You and the group were such a big part of dad and mom’s lives. I’m so glad they had that time with you.
I met George when we worked in the Materials Engineering Lab at Kodak. When I think of him, it brings to mind a man with a ready smile, an expert in his field and a new joke to share from time to time. I am proud to call George my friend and will miss seeing him and hearing his jokes at our semiannual retirees lunches.
Thank you, Winston. Dad always talked about those luncheons…he always enjoyed them. He loved Kodak and those he worked with. Thank you for being his friend,
George was one of a kind….a gem! He was kind, had wonderful sense of humor, great knowledge and was a pleasure to know and work with. I must confess he never let our Materials Engineering Lab retiree luncheon group down.. when he came time for George to share a few words and update us on what was happening in his life… he always pulled out a slip of paper folded in half and proceeded to tell us a number of jokes he had written down ready to share… and of course, we always knew that each time we’d see him that our spirits would be lifted for a few minutes and as he read through his list. I am sorry for your loss.. May his spirit be eternal.
Barbara, thank you so much. I believe it was you that organized those luncheons. Dad always talked about them and always looked forward to going, so I’m so glad that you did that. He loved his Kodak life and friends there.
Sorry for your loss, George will be missed by all of us at the RG&E Big band.
Thank you, Ray. He missed all of you too. The band was a great part of his life that he enjoyed immensely.
On behalf of myself, and the GateSwingers Big Band, please accept my most sincere condolences. George a wonderful guy, soft spoken, always ready with a joke. He was an important part of the band, I can still hear the rich sound that he, Ron Bowks and Doug Briggs brought to the trombones. It was a section to be reckoned with! George is missed for sure.
Thank you, Doug. Dad so enjoyed the band and all the members in it enriched his life.
I am writing because I was George’s barber all the time he was living here at the Garden Apartments. He seemed to be a very happy man and it was a pleaseure helping him out with ALL HIS HAIR. We sure miss him here at the Gardens. He liked bingo and some of our musical programs we had here. He directed the Kodak Band a few times and even danced at our last musical event with the ladies.
Take care and enjoy the wonderful memories you have of him.
Our Love to the whole family!!!
Dear Angelo and Jean. I miss you two. Thank you for taking care of dad’s grooming. It was so nice of you to do that for people. It made his life a lot easier., and he enjoyed your company.
I met George six years ago at Champps where he and his golfing buddies would go after their round of golf at Victor Hills on Friday mornings. I regret not having found a way to join them on those weekly rounds. I was always happy to see them on Fridays. He will be missed. Our condolences to you and your family.
Thank you, Doug. Dad loved going to Champs and I loved meeting him there and seeing everyone.
Dear Joanie and Carol,
The Bennett/Marcellus families have lost another member of the Lake Road Family, and we are greatly saddened. My goodness, we have so many memories of George and Anna and you girls and various dogs/cats……….happy memories because George always brought a smile to those around him. We were all blessed to have him for his long and full life. Our love to your family. (Joanie, I have lost contact info for you…….would love to stay in touch. Thank you!)
Kate Bennett
Dear Kate, thank you so much. Yes, the gang is gone, hopefully, there’s a great course in heaven. Such wonderful memories they gave us. We were blessed. Dad talked about you, Don and your parents often. Heck, I’ll leave my phone number…hopefully, you will see this. (585) 402-6224.