Obituary of John J. Chamberlain

John J. Chamberlain, Jr., a retired Assistant National Bank Examiner and a man with a strong devotion to his family and faith, passed away after a long illness at the Life Care Center of New Port Richey, Florida. He was 87 years old. John was born in Malden, the only child of John and Florence Chamberlain. He grew up in Malden and was a graduate of Malden High School. His family attended the United Methodist Church in Malden. He was a member of the church’s Youth Group and it was during one of their meetings that he met his future wife, Betty Mae Brook. John enlisted in the Army in 1950 during the Korean War. He served for three years as a Corporal in the Signal Corps located in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska. Along with the United States fighting in Korea, they were in the midst of the Cold War with Russia. His unit’s responsibility was to monitor Russian communications. He was very proud of his service to his country and the work his unit contributed to the national defense of the United States. In his retirement years, he returned on a Cruise to Alaska and the Aleutian Islands with his wife to visit the area where he was stationed and reminisce about his military service. John also continued his support for the United States military through his involvement in the American Legion. He was proud to be an American Veteran who served his country. John married Betty Mae Brook on June 2, 1956 and celebrated their 60th Anniversary this year. They started a family in Saugus and eventually settled in Burlington in 1974. John furthered his education at Boston University and Northeastern University. He went to work for the Department of the Treasury as an Assistant National Bank Examiner for its Northeast Division. He was also called upon to assist in the investigation of Bert Lance, Director of The Office of Management and Budget in the President Carter administration. After over 20 years with the Department of the Treasury, John retired in the early 1980’s. Tired of the cold weather, He and his wife Betty moved to New Port Richey, Florida in 1992. John was in numerous organizations and had many interests over the years. As well as being a member of the American Legion, he was a 45 year member of the Masons. He loved to sing and performed with Barber Shop Quartets. He loved spending his summers camping at Point Sebago in Maine and giving his children the opportunity to enjoy the lake and the outdoors. He and his wife Betty also enjoyed traveling. They took trips back to Canada to visit family in the Montreal area. They took cruises and visited Europe several times. He was always organized and a planner. He planned one of his trips to Europe so that he could see the Bavaria Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany which is only held every 10 years. That was one of his biggest travel highlights. John was also a man of strong faith. It started in that Methodist Church in Malden and continued throughout his lifetime. While living in Burlington, he was a very active member of the Burlington Presbyterian Church. He was a member of their choir, served as their Treasurer, and attended all of the church’s activities and events. In New Port Richey, John found Trinity Presbyterian Church a warm and welcoming place to enrich and share his faith. He joined their choir and eventually became an Elder in the church. His strong faith guided, reassured, and comforted him during his lifetime. John was the devoted husband of 60 years of Betty Mae (Brook) Chamberlain. He was the loving father of Carol House & her husband Paul of Madison, AL; John & his wife June of Greenfield, MA; Linda of New Port Richey, FL; Mark & his wife Therese of Framingham; and Craig & his wife Mary Ellen of Reading. He was the proud grandfather of Steven & Michael House, Crystal, Michael, Daniel, Sean, and Olivia Chamberlain. Great grandfather of Owen, Aubree, Evan and Claire. Funeral services will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Memorials in John’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Epilepsy Foundation or Trinity Presbyterian Church.