Jack Chappell

Jack Chappell passed away at Cypress Cove Rehabilitation in Fort Myers, FL on November 30,2020 after a long illness. Prior to entering Cypress Cove in 2017, Jack had been a resident of Sanibel, Florida since 2001. Prior to moving to Sanibel, he was a long-time resident of Concord, MA.

Jack was born October 28, 1927 in South Bend, Indiana, the only son of John and Lillian (Gould) Chappell. Upon graduation from High School in South Bend, he attended Purdue University for one year, at which time he enlisted the US Army/Air Corp. Upon discharge, Jack returned to Purdue and graduated in 1950 with a BS from the School of Science.

Jack's early career was in Personnel, focusing on labor relations. (Given his father had been instrumental in organizing the labor union at Studebaker Corporation, there were sure to have been many lively discussions at the Chappell dinner table!) During this time, he worked for International Harvester and Central Soya. In 1964 Jack achieved his first plant manager position at General Signal in Jamaica Plain, MA, followed in 1966 by a promotion in the same position at a much larger organization within Joy Manufacturing in New Philadelphia, OH. Jack oversaw the growth of Joy into a Fortune 250 Corporation during his nine-year tenure, primarily through a series of both domestic and international mergers and acquisitions. After a few years as Senior Vice President, in 1975 Jack found an opportunity to take direct control of an entire corporation, the WH Nichols Company of Waltham, MA. Jack spent the next several years turning around this family held company, working long hours to return it to profitability. In 1984, WH Nichols merged with Parker Hannifin Corporation of Cleveland, OH. As Senior Vice President Jack was responsible for building Parker's controls division through strategic acquisitions.

Retirement never quite sat well with Jack, and his next venture was moving from Board Member to Chairman and CEO of The Federal Savings Bank in Waltham, MA. Upon the sale of the bank several years later, Jack then turned his eye to providing business and financial advice and support to many nascent companies in the region, as well as serving on the board of directors for two Massachusetts-based companies, Aubuchon Hardware and MW Carr Company. He also continued his focus on philanthropic pursuits in the area of education (Purdue University), Healthcare (Eye Institute of Boston and Emerson Hospital) and conservation (he and his wife Ruth donated several acres of land to the Concord Land Conservation Trust).

Those who knew Jack well understood the importance of family in his life. To his parents, sisters, nephews and nieces he was always available to lend an ear or a hand, whatever was needed, for as long as needed. His children and grandchildren grew into adulthood knowing they would always find sage advice and unstinting encouragement in his corner.

Jack always enjoyed a good story, and when young his children delighted in hearing of the adventures of Minnie and Buster Hotshot the barn cats, as well the fictional adventures of Jessie and Elizabeth as they made their way West by covered wagon. Jack never tired of telling stories of his family and life, and in his later years joined the Sanibel Writer's Group, and under their support and tutelage came the first of his memoirs, The Chappell Family: The Early Years, a series of stories about his family history into his adulthood. Sadly, he was never able to finish the second volume, which was to focus on his family and career.

From the time of his youth, Jack enjoyed virtually all sports, but his primary passion was playing golf (he played to a five handicap, enjoying the pleasures of Pebble Beach, Augusta National and St. Andrews to name just a few), hiking mountains and, to his children's great delight, taking unintentional dips in rivers and streams. Many a hike was interrupted with a time drying his shorts on a rock! Jack also loved long bike rides to his favorite ice cream stand (fifteen miles from home), boating (Sea Tow was on speed dial) and cross-country skiing.

As mentioned, Jack was a resident of the Assisted Living and Rehab Center at Cypress Cove, his stay there lasting over three years. His family would like to recognize the staff of Cypress Cove, as well as his private caregivers (Natasha Delices, Mimi Louine, Eugenie Toulon, Anel Charles and Victor Beddoe) for the kindness and dignity in providing his care.

Jack was predeceased by his parents, sisters Nancy Graham and Eleanor Balha, and nephew Michael Balha and his wife of 63 years, Ruth Daniel Chappell. He is survived by his three children Lynn Chappell Frantz (Bradley) of Indianapolis, IN; John Chappell of Morganton, NC and Barbara Chappell of Sanibel, FL. He is also survived by grandsons Andrew Frantz of Indianapolis, IN; Eric Chappell (Amy) of Santa Monica, CA; Jason Chappell (Amelia) of Decatur, GA and Great granddaughter June; and Todd Chappell (Jiwon) of Malden, MA.

Services will be private.