Robert Armstrong Chapin

01/23/2003

Robert Armstrong Chapin, 85, of Balsam Hill Farm on Hewins Street died early Friday morning at Fairview Commons Nursing Home. He had been a resident there for two months. A native and lifelong resident of Sheffield, he was born July 28, 1917, son of Albert and Ruth Armstrong Chapin. He was educated in local schools and graduated from Sheffield High School. He went on to graduate from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts. He was the fifth generation to own and operate Balsam Dairy Farm. A member of the Holstein Breeders Association of America and the Farm Bureau Association, he won many awards for farming, including the Massa-chusetts Dairy Farm Association award for highest production in butterfat content and the Governors Trophy from the State of Massachusetts, New England Green Pastures exceptional achievement in dairy farming. Chapin was an active member of the community and served on the board of directors for the Canaan National Bank from 1967 to 1985. He served on the Sheffield Finance Committee for many years and was a longtime member of the Sheffield Land Trust. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, trapping and gardening. He leaves his wife of 62 years, the former Rose Pezze, whom he married Oct. 112, 1941 at Old Parish Church in Sheffield. He also leaves his sons, Robert C. Chapin of Sheffield and William T. Chapin of West Haven, Conn.; his daughter, Ellen C. Emprimo of Sheffield; his stepson, Francis Pezze of Sheffield; two sisters, Marion Lundgren of Torrington, Conn., and Hazel Adams of Auburn; 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Funeral services for Robert Chapin will be held Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at 2 at Old Parish Church in Sheffield, with the Rev. Arthur Kaufman, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Sheffield Center Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, from 2 to 5 at the FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. Mr. Chapin also leaves ten grandchildren, Kimberly, Sabrina, Christine, Michelle, Suzanne, Matthew, Todd, Jennifer, Michael and Lorraine; eight great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Michael, Justin, Sydney, Christopher, Megan, David and Andrea; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Correll Chapin. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Old Parish Church or to the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through finnerty@bcn.net

Obituaries

Celebrating Lives & Legacies

Robert Armstrong Chapin

Memorials