Hugh D. Chamberlain, Jr.

Hugh David Chamberlain, Jr., 96, of Warsaw, New York died peacefully in the presence of family on December 17, 2024.

Hugh was a child of the Great Depression born to Hugh David and Winnifred Chamberlain on January 3, 1928. Hugh was affectionately nicknamed Tint by his Uncle Don who upon seeing him for the first time remarked “He is a little Hugh, he’s a Tint”. This nickname stuck with him his whole life, and many acquaintances never knew “Tint” was not his given name.

Hugh grew up working a family farm in Caneadea, New York with his siblings Page, Helen and Clifford. His oldest sister Marion died from illness at a young age. The Chamberlains also ran a mill near the tracks in their home town. Hugh attended high school in Belfast, New York where he was forced to take Latin. Hugh was a good athlete, excelling in several high school sports. While in school he discovered an affinity for singing and was a member of an award winning quartet. When not working or in school Hugh and his brothers were avid hunters. In one memorable hunt Hugh caught some bird shot in the face, narrowly missing his eye. He did not wear his coonskin hat in the woods after that. 

When Hugh was old enough he enlisted in the US army, joining his older brother Page in the military. Page was a pilot during World War 2. Hugh was deployed to Japan for 2 years during the post-war occupation there.

After his military service Hugh attended Houghton College on the GI bill. It was in Houghton that he met a young French major named Linda Lea Lombard. Hugh and Linda were married in August of 1957.

After graduating from Houghton College, Hugh was employed as a high school science teacher in Randolph, New York. He moved on from high school to be a professor at Alfred Ag-Tech. 

In the early 1960’s Hugh and Linda were owning and running a grocery store in Houghton when they welcomed their oldest son, Hugh David Chamberlain III, to the world on January 6, 1962. Shortly after the arrival of David, Alison Lynne Chamberlain was born March 16, 1963.

Hugh and his family moved to Warsaw, New York in 1964 where he began teaching high school mathematics, which is a position he held for 20 years. On October 11, 1966 son Timothy Page Chamberlain was born, and on April 12, 1969 the youngest child Christina Elaine Chamberlain first made her appearance.

Hugh was a member of the United Methodist Church in Warsaw for 60 years and sang in the choir for much of that time. Hugh and Linda hosted a youth group in the 1970’s that met in their Warsaw home weekly. The youth group traveled to several regional churches in that time to sing and perform uplifting skits that quite often included a generous dose of comedy. Hugh was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Warsaw for many years. He was honored a year ago with 75 year Masonic Membership recognition. In the early 1980’s Hugh was elected as Justice of the Peace in Warsaw, a position he held for several years. During his summer breaks Hugh took house painting jobs and spent as much time as possible with the family at the cabin at Lake Hiram. 

In 1984 Hugh retired from teaching and began working as a financial planner. At age 65 Hugh retired from financial planning. Although retired Hugh was not without activity. He was a good woodworker and handyman. All of his children have “Hugh special” pieces of furniture in their houses.

Following retirement Hugh was blessed to receive 2 sons-in law, Rick Baker (Christina), and Bill Andrews (Alison); a daughter-in-law, Ann Daughaday-Chamberlain (David); and daughter-in-law to be Lori McGrath (Timothy). Several grandchildren were welcomed as well including Jake, Kate and Jeff Baker; Nathan, Alec, Aidan and Nicholas Andrews; and Tilly, Remy and Ezra Chamberlain. Great grandchildren include Nathaniel Russo (Kate and Dan), Silas Baker (Jeff and Reagan), and Bailey and Charlotte Baker (Jake and Sarah).

Hugh and Linda separated amicably in 2004, remaining good friends thereafter. Hugh never remarried. In his 84th year Hugh adopted a puppy he named Abby. She grew into a mostly loving dog and steadfast companion, staying close by his side until the end.

The Chamberlain family is eternally grateful for the care and assistance provided by Sandy Tombari and Kerry Coogan, and more recently the Smiths - Linda, Paula and Rachel. 

Hugh is on to his next journey leaving behind a grateful family, a grateful church, a grateful community, a grateful country and a loving little dog. We salute you Hugh! 

Friends may call on Friday, December 27, 2024 from 3 – 7 pm at the Robinson & Hackemer Funeral Home, 246 North Main Street, Warsaw. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Warsaw United Methodist Church, 6 W. Court St, Warsaw, NY 14569 or autism speaks at autismspeaks.org.