Douglas E. Chapman

He was born on June 6, 1934, in Fall River, Massachusetts and was a resident of Somerset since 1966. He was the son of the late Everett Durfee Chapman and Gertrude “Gertie” (Boothman) Chapman.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jean Marie (Gosciminski) Chapman, whom he met in high school and were members of Durfee High School's Class of 1952. He is also survived by his sons Douglas C. "D.C." Chapman of Somerset, and Drew J. Chapman and his wife Julie (Salmon) Chapman of Assonet, MA; his brother Howard Chapman and his wife Robin of Bluffton, South Carolina; and his grandchildren Judson Chapman and his wife Kathleen, their sons Remington Douglas and Beau Everett, of Fall River; Ian Chapman and his wife Carah, and their daughter Charlotte of Tavares, Florida; and Hannah and Lillian Chapman of Assonet.

He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering in 1957 from Bradford Durfee College of Technology in Fall River, now the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Doug was employed as an engineer by the Department of Defense for 34 years and elevated to Program Manager for the Advanced Mobile Target Division of Anti-Submarine Warfare. He regularly traveled between his offices at the US Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Middletown, RI, and The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. He retired in 1991, saying it was, “because Russia quit the Cold War.”

After his wife Jean retired from the Fall River School System in 1992, they became “snowbirds” and enjoyed life at Glen Eagle Golf & Country Club in Naples for three decades.

Doug was an avid golfer and student of the game. He joined the Fall River Country Club in 1968 and was a 50-year Honorary Member. He maintained a single-digit handicap up until his mid-70s. He has the distinction of having nine hole-in-ones and “shot his age or better” for 18 holes every year from age 68 through 83. He won two Men’s Club Championships at Glenn Eagle and multiple “Board” Tournaments at the Fall River Country Club.

Doug and Jean were members of the Westport Yacht Club since the early 1980s. He loved family gatherings at the beach with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and heartily enjoyed corn-on-the-cob.

Doug coached both sons in Somerset Little League baseball in the 1960s and early 1970s. His love of sports and competition was passed down to his sons, who both found rewarding careers in tennis and golf, respectively.

Doug was an excellent Bridge and Chess Player. He was also a fierce ping-pong competitor, especially against his brother Howard, where they would inadvertently put on “exhibition matches” when traveling with their wives on cruises.

Doug played the trumpet and loved to sing, especially when escorting his wife Jean to church, where fellow parishioners would often comment on his booming voice.

His Funeral will be held on Monday, December 19, 2022, at 9:00AM from the Waring Home at Rose E. Sullivan, 866 County Street in Somerset, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00AM in St. Thomas More Church, 386 Luther Ave., Somerset. Relatives and friends invited. Visitation Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the First Tee of Massachusetts, 300 Arnold Palmer Boulevard, Norton, MA 02766 or to the New England Tennis & Education Foundation, 110 Turnpike Road, Westborough, MA 01581. Burial will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River.