Hawley- Kenneth H. “Skip” Chaffee, Jr., 81, of Plainfield Rd., passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.
Skip was born in Greenfield on June 26, 1940 the son of Kenneth and Marjorie (Decker) Chaffee. He graduated from Greenfield High School, class of ’58.
Skip was a proud veteran of the Vietnam war. He first enlisted with the United States Marine Corps in 1962, serving time in combat. When he was honorably discharged from the Marines, he enlisted with the US Navy on July 28, 1966. His service with the Navy lasted until his honorable discharge December 18, 1967 from his assignment in Danang. On June 6, 1968 Skip enlisted with the US Air Force where he spent the next 15 years of his military career. He became an Air Traffic Control Technician first serving at Westover AFB and then transferred to Elmendorf AFB in Alaska until his retirement in 1984 will stationed at Maxwell AFB in Alabama. Among his citations for service; Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Devices, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 5 Devices, AF Commendation Medal, AF Overseas Service Long Tour Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, Meritorious Service Medal and others.
MSGT Kenneth H. Chaffee’s career of service to our country lasted over 22 years.
In his retirement from the military Skip was able to enjoy his interest in woodworking, hunting, fishing and researching family genealogy. He worked for the Postal Service on a rural route in West County. He was a member of the Ashfield Rod and Gun Club as well as the Shelburne Falls Veterans of Foreign War Post.
Survivors include his wife Sheila (Scott) whom he married on Aug. 18, 1979, a son Kenneth (Sherry) Chaffee of Colrain, daughter Lisa (Monte) White of Washington, Terri (Dan) Peters-Gray of Northfield, Brenda (Shawn) Gravelle of Turners Falls, brothers Frederick Chaffee, Gil (Kathy) Chaffee, sisters Marla Rusciano, Audrey Lapointe, Peggy Harris and Marjorie Thompson, 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and a good friend Bob Root who would get together with Skip every Thursday for a piece of pie.
Skip was predeceased by a granddaughter Chelsea Gravelle, and brothers Bruce and Donald.
Services with full Military Honors will take place Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 1:00 pm, at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St., Winchendon, MA. There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Wounded Warriors, Soldier On or the DAV.
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