Obituary of Raymond F Chamberland

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1927-2014 GREAT BARRINGTON Raymond F Chamberland, Jr, formerly of Great Barrington, Englewood, FL, and Geer Village, Canaan CT died Monday, November 17, at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington CT. He was born in Woonsocket R.I. on July 1, 1927, son of Raymond F and Helen Farrell Chamberland. Ray was a graduate of Monsignor James Coyle High School Taunton MA, and the University of Notre Dame Class of ’49, South Bend, Indiana. Ray was an educator/coach/friend/mentor in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District for 30 years, from 1957 until his retirement in 1987. He started as a teacher in 1957 a basketball coach, football coach, athletic director, assistant supervising principal, then principal from 1978-1987 when he retired.
He was honored as Massachusetts Secondary Principal of the Year in 1984. In 1993 Mount Everett dedicated their gymnasium in his honor. He was a Berkshire County Football Official and Baseball Umpire Retiring in 1976. He was Commissioner of Sports in Berkshire County 1965-1982. Ray also served on the board of the MIAA.
Ray is survived by his children Ray and wife, Mary, Terry and wife Robin, Karen and husband Mark, Kevin, Cathy, Brian and partner Cindy, and Reverend Gary; grandchildren, Kristen, Christopher, Jessica, Katelyn, Matthew, Beth, Patrick, J.R., Julie, and Tricia; great grandchildren Rowan, Hunter, Shawn, Emily and Steven. .He was predeceased by his wife Rita on February 4, 2014, and one daughter, Ann Marie.
Funeral services for Raymond F Chamberland who died November 17th will be held on Saturday, November 22nd with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 AM at St. Peter’s Church with Rev. Gary S. Chamberland, his son officiating. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Friday, November 21st from 4 to 7 p.m. at the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME 33 South St. Gt Barrington MA. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy in Raymond’s memory may be made to the Principles Discretionary Fund at Mount Everett High School in care of the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.

6 Responses to Obituary of Raymond F Chamberland

  1. So sorry to learn of Uncle Ray’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God bless and keep you close during. My love to all.

  2. I had the honor of meeting Mr. Chamberland on Sunday night. Mr Chamberland was in good spirits, comfortable and very talkitive about his family. Mr Chamberland had many stories of his parents, his life, his children, and all the fond memories he has. He laughed alot and told me how proud he was of there acomplishments. We had made a connection which inspired me to tell my wife of the wonderful patient I’d had, and how those interactions are what make being a care provider so rewarding. When I had returned to work on Tuesday night and heard of his passing I was deeply sadend, but glad I was able to meet such a friendly and happy person. My condolences go to his family and all who knew Mr Chamberland, because 8 hours was enough to move me, i can only imagine how how he touched the lives of those how knew him longer..

  3. A quote from Ray at the re-dedication of the gym named in his honor: “Give me an L…an O….a V…an E – What’s it spell? Mt.Everett!” Ray truly loved Mt. Everett and was dedicated to making it a great school. His devotion inspired us all. His caring, influence, and creativity continues to live on and inspire his students and faculty alike!

  4. Ray came to Portsmouth, VA in 1950 after graduation. He started as a teacher and assistant coach and in a short time coached all of the St Paul’s High School sports teams. He was an inspirational young coach full of energy and determination to learn the trade. Those of us who were students then were the beneficiaries of his hard charging but caring style.

    His bride, Rita, was a Portsmouth Lass and theirs was a wonderful lifelong love story. He leaves behind a legacy of love. For those of us who remember him he is unforgettable and will always live in our hearts

    • Mr. Chamberland was principal of Mt. Everett when I was in high school there Iso of course he was intimidating!) but I also knew him as a dear friend of my father’s when he was bartender at the Pearly Gates Saloon in Sheffield in the 1970’s and known there as “St. Peter”! I hope that his affiliation with St. Peter then will give him an “in” at The Pearly Gates! Condolences from all of the Pollocks and Koneaznys. Seems like the end of an era, and we surely miss “the old guard”. It’s a bit intimidating, having to take up the baton…

  5. I was saddened to read today about the passing of Ray Chamberland. He was a wonderful teacher at Mount Everett, and will always be remembered by me as the first teacher who came into the school able to handle our class. That year before fall had ended, 12 teachers quit, often to our delight. Ray walked in one day and stayed. Within minutes we knew it was a perfect match. Our class loved him and obviously those who followed our footsteps over the years did also. There was always such a welcoming whenever we met years later. He remembered us all and would often ask about others who had been in that class. He was happy, cheerful, prepared, smart, funny and a passionate basketball coach.. As a cheerleader then, we all rode in the same bus for away games. How entertaining he was! We won the championship then, thanks tohis generous spirit, encompassing us all. We and the school benefited by his presence, his teaching and his passion for doing well and bringing something better to the world.. He was a gift to us all.. Thank you Mr. Chamberland for your time with us. RIP.
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