Virginia Beach – Donald “Don” J. Chamberland passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 13, 2018. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joan (Michaud) Chamberland; his daughter Lara (Chamberland) Simmon and his son-in-law David Simmon of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania; his son Paul Chamberland and his daughter-in-law Jan Merritt of Pocomoke City, Maryland; his grandchildren: Daniel Simmon, Leah Simmon, Anna Simmon, Emma Simmon, Paul Chamberland, and Joshua Chamberland; his sisters Penelope LaVoice of Bangor, Maine; Marie Cyr of Bristol, Connecticut; and Marlene Nelson and brother-in-law Gary Nelson of Herscher, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Joseph and sisters Candace Derosier, Claire LaChance, and Theodora “Ted” Albert.
He was born August 18, 1938, child of Paul and Anna (Michaud) Chamberland, in Aroostook County, Maine, in the township of Sinclair. Don enlisted in the United States Air Force upon high school graduation in 1956, and, as a teletype operator, served in Saudi Arabia, New Hampshire, Canada, Virginia, Texas, Turkey, and the Pentagon. In 1964, he was offered the opportunity to become an officer through the Air Force Institute of Technology program and earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a master’s degree in Management Engineering at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. After graduation, he returned to Aroostook County, swept Joan off her feet, then settled into married life at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, where daughter Lara and son Paul were born. In 1971, Don brought the family back to the mainland and served at the Pentagon, Bolling AFB, and Andrews AFB, all in the Air Force District of Washington. He retired from the Air Force in 1978, and transitioned into the civilian sector as a industrial management consultant for Presearch, Inc. He opened a Presearch branch in 1980 in the Tidewater area with offices first in Norfolk then in Chesapeake with an emphasis on working Army and Navy staffing issues. Looking for a different challenge, Don delved into real estate, becoming a broker with GSH Realty, then branching off with Joan to establish Colonial Homes Realty, which he continued until his retirement from real estate in 2003. He enjoyed managing his properties, retreating to his cabin outside Charlottesville, and maintaining his vegetable gardens.
He will be greatly missed by his family.
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Dear family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one and send you my sincere condolences. May you find comfort from the promises in God’s word at Revelation 21:3,4 about no more sickness or death and at Acts 24:15 where his Son says “there is going to be a resurrection…”. Heartfelt prayers are with you and your family.