RUMFORD – Peter Lincoln Chamberlain, 74, of Wilton, died on Monday Oct. 31, 2016 at Rumford Hospital after a battle with cancer. Peter enjoyed a long, happy life, filled with family, friends, work, service and many hobbies.
Pete was born on Jan. 4, 1942, in Westerly, RI, a son of Geoffrey and Alice (Colburn) Chamberlain.
He enjoyed sports as a youth, especially basketball and cross-country running, and was a member of the Rhode Island State Champion Westerly Bulldogs Basketball Team. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1963. Pete was an officer in the Navy and served in the Vietnam War.
On July 31, 1965, he married Sarah Dickman in Little Creek, Virginia. He moved with his family to Wilton in 1976 where he worked for International Paper Co. at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay, retiring in 2004. Pete served his community as a youth soccer coach and as a member of many boards and committees including the Wilton Free Public Library Board of Directors, the Wilton Planning Board, the Wilton Road Committee and the Foothills Land Conservancy. He was also a dedicated member of the First Congregational Church of Wilton, serving on many of the church’s committees. In his retirement, Pete enjoyed traveling with family and special friends. He had a passion for books and with friends organized and operated the Wilton Book Sale to benefit the library. He also enjoyed woodworking, cycling, golf and most enjoyed gatherings with family and friends. Pete was a devoted grandfather and was affectionately known as GramPete to his granddaughter Maggie and his two grandsons Reid and Lucas.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sarah, of Wilton; two sons Lewis Chamberlain and his wife, Jennifer of Eliot, Maine and David Chamberlain and his wife, BethAnn of Bloomington, Minnesota and his grandchildren, Maggie, Reid and Lucas; two nieces and a nephew.
He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Chamberlain and sister Ruth Chamberlain.
Family and friends are invited to a memorial visitation Friday evening, Nov. 4 from 5-7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, Main St., Wilton. A Public Memorial Service, celebrating the life and lifetime of Peter will be held Saturday Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. from the Church. Following services, a comfort reception, hosted by the church hospitality committee, will be held in the church vestry. All are welcome.
Remembrance gifts may be given to either the Wilton Free Public Library 104 Main St. Wilton, Me. 04294 or to the Farmington Ski Club at P.O. Box 138, West Farmington, ME 04992.
Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall , and a video tribute may be viewed at www.wilesrc.com. Cremation and memorial service arrangements are in the care of the Cremation Care Division of Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falsl Rd., (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington.
Pete was always upbeat and moving. Tons of energy and willing to help. A great neighbor and a terrific example of what a man should strive to be.
Our condolences to Sarah, Lew and David. He will be missed.
The world has lost a quietly wonderful man. My heart is with his family.
Pete was not a good man, he was a great man. My earliest memories of Pete were when I was seven or eight at ski races and he always had such great energy, clapping you on the back or giving you a good job. As Dave and I continued to race together Pete was one of those parents who you felt generally was on your side, always. Later on when I would run into Pete as he was volunteering at a ski race and giving back, no matter how busy we both were at the time we would always stop and have a genuine chat about our lives. Genuine. Pete was a truly genuine human being. As recently as a few months ago when chatting with Dave on the phone Pete grabbed the phone to say hello and ask how things were going. That is the mark of a great man, selfless, genuine, kind and giving. Pete was all of these things and more. Plus that smile? The way he always had a grin like he knew something you didn’t? I loved that smile. My condolences to Sarah, Lew and Jen and Dave and BethAnn. The world lost a great one when Pete passed and we are all the better for having known him. Thanks for the memories Pete, I will always cherish them.
Our PRAYERS and condolences to Sarah and the family. Yes Pete was a great man. Had many a chat with him. I will miss those. We will see him on the other side.
He was always a friendly guy , always had a hello for you ! Will miss him
I really enjoyed working with Pete during the better days of International paper. Always had a smile and a willingness to help everyone. prayers to the family
Pete, We will miss you.
Paulette and Tom
Very sad news. I always looked up to “Mr. Chamberlain,” as I knew him, and I’m grateful for his kind demeanor and the gentle, positive guidance he provided to us kids as we romped around his house, forgot to put toys away, dirtied the floors, and left dishes around. I’ll also miss the incredible sled-luge tracks he used to build for us in his backyard. Lots of love to Pete, Sarah, Lew, Dave, and the whole clan.
What a wonderful guy who will be sadly missed
The world has indeed lost a great man. I have very fond memories of Pete from my childhood. Deepest condolences to the Chamberlain family.
So sorry to hear this, and condolences to the family. He was always cheerily willing to help out at Titcomb Mt. This wonderful man will be missed.
Echo to all the well stated words above. Really nice man and great family. I wish the family the best along with my sincerest condolences.
Mr. Chamberlain’s passing is very sad news. I associate much of my childhood with the Chamberlain family and the kindness they showed me as a youngster. This will be a huge hole to fill in the community. Sarah, David, and Louie, I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad and your family hold a very special place in my heart.
condolence to the Chamberlain family for the loss of a congenial man
What to say…such a loss. Memories of Pete are entwined in my childhood with Christmases, summers, ski races, gardens, BBQs, and luge runs. Pete was another Dad, he was there to rescue me when a dog was sick, and needed to be transported to the vet. He was there to give me an orange and a jacket at the end of a ski race and cheering everyone on during the race. He was always volunteering, giving of himself and smiling all the while. Pete was an amazing man who will be sorely missed. My love to all the Chamberlains and everyone else who will miss this terrific man.
So sorry for your loss. He was such a nice man.
There are few people more competent than Pete, but he would say, “How can I help?” There are few people more well read than Pete, but he would say, “What do you think?” He had genuine respect for each person he spoke with, and he has our undying love and respect in return.
Pete was my friend. I liked, enjoyed, and respected him. Who can forget those bitter cold days waxing and cheering the kids on. He will be missed, for sure.
Pete was such a generous man. He helped us with our construction on our house when my husband broke his leg. He loved to stop and chat often. He was always so happy and kind. We offer our condolences to Sarah and the rest of the family. He will be missed.
Sorry to hear of Pete’s passing Sarah. Our sympathy to you and family.
Pete was such a great friend and neighbor and will be missed by all.
Pete Chamberlain was a friend of the library in every way. Over the years, he served in several board positions, helped shape the book sale program into a successful and continuous fundraiser for the library, and was ever willing to help in any way he could, whether large or small. He wasn’t only passionate about the library in a nostalgic sense, but truly wanted to know the tangible ways he could help us grow and try new things. Pete cared immensely about the greater Wilton community, and the value he placed on the library was apparent in both his words and his actions. Everything he did was accompanied by a genuine smile – and his signature hats. Pete brought joy to library staff and patrons alike every time he visited. His boundless energy and spirit were, and will continue to be, inspiring to us all.
-The Wilton Free Public Library
In a small town, children are truely raised by the community. Mr. Chamberlain was one of the reasons so many of us that grew up in Wilton had such positive childhoods. I spent more time at the Chamberlain’s home and with the Chamberlain family than any other place as a child other than my own home. All that time contributed substantially to who I became and how I look at the world. I know few people as positive, encouraging, and genuine and I count myself lucky to have been so influenced as a child and young man by Mr Chamberlain and the character of his family. My sincere condolences. Mrs. Chamberlain, David and Lew – always your friend.
Pete was my cousin in law. Sarah and my wife were cousins and I inherited the title created by Sarah. After living, literally continents apart I got to know Pete when the Chamberlins began to winter in Sarasota, Fl shortly after we moved to nearby Anna Maria. While I had met Pete once to twice in the past I surely didn’t know him. My loss. For the past dozen years Pete and I were left free to amuse ourselves as our wives, the cousins, shopped. What a wonderful experience. Pete was funny, smart, generous and a so so golfer. All of this made him an absolutely great companion.
Fortunately he left two great sons to carry on and to watch over Sarah.
I am so delighted that Pete and I were friends. His friendship was a rich experience and I will miss him a lot.
Love to Sarah and the boys