Richard Emmet Chaffee Jr

On the morning of January 7th, 2026, my beloved father and best friend Richard E Chaffee Jr (Dickie) placed his foot on the first step of the stairway to heaven.   His ascent was (like the man) quiet and dignified, the pain and worries dissolving as he climbed.  The decline in his health these past few months had been precipitous, but he stayed in good spirits and enjoyed mightily the time spent with his many visitors during his time at Maple Lane. I think he may have looked forward to our frequent visits because he knew we always brought him "treats" in the form of a hot fudge sundae, Frostee or his all-time favorite, a maple frosted donut (or 3).

Richard was born in Newport on April 1st, 1941 the son of Richard E Chaffee Sr and Pauline (Blay) Chaffee.  From the beginning he was at heart a good kid but did have a mischievous streak.  As a youngster they used to have to tie him to my great grandmother's porch because he was prone to stripping down to his underwear, putting on his grandfather's stove pipe hat and wandering off up Sias Avenue.  Later in life he rented a tuxedo for some bash or another.  Upon arriving home, he filled the bathtub with water and climbed in.  With the tuxedo on.  There are many other stories like that (he denied them all as pure fiction).

Dickie enlisted in the Army National Guard in September of 1960 and served until 1966 then, in 1968 he began work at Ethan Allen furniture in Orleans, where he worked until his retirement in 2007.  In 1991 he married Shirley Mae Kinnett, who survives him. Their love for each other never faded, nor will it ever.  After retiring, Dickie felt the need to stay busy, so he began transporting cars for Hayes Ford with his lifelong friend Andy Ricard.  He enjoyed immensely the time spent on the road with Andy and spoke of it often.  He never missed a NASCAR race or Red Sox game, was an avid Patriots fan and liked to watch bowling.  Most of all, dad loved time spent with family and friends.  The times spent at his grandmother Flora's house on Sias Ave were gold in his heart, stories of holiday meals, sitting on the porch and watching thunderstorms…

Dickie was predeceased by his parents and his sister Diane (Lunderville).  He is survived by his wife Shirley, his son James Chaffee of Newport, his brother Ron Chaffee and his wife Gail of Newport, granddaughter Molly Chaffee of Dover NH and Brother-in-law Richard Lunderville of St Albans.  Also surviving him are his stepchildren (whom he loved as his own) Debbie and Julien Therrien of Derby, Terry and Homer Sargent of Jay, Lisa and Darryl Driver of Jeffersonville, Randy Kennett of Bolton, several grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Saturday, January 17th at Curtis-Britch& Bouffard Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport VT.  Visitation will be from 10 - 11AM with services immediately after.  Interment will take place at the family's convenience

A celebration of life luncheon will be held on Sunday January 18th from 1 – 2 PM at the VFW post 798 in Newport.

Heartfelt thanks to Cheyenne and the entire staff at Maple Lane in Barton for taking such good care of "Richard" as they called him during his time there.  It was of great comfort knowing that dad was in such caring hands. On-line condolences are welcome at curtis-britch.com.  Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service locally family owned and operated.