1942 – 2016

RUMFORD — Peter Lincoln Chamberlain, 74, of Wilton died Monday, Oct. 31, at Rumford Hospital after a battle with cancer. Peter enjoyed a long, happy life, filled with family, friends, work, service and many hobbies.

Pete was born Jan. 4, 1942, in Westerly, R.I., a son of Geoffrey and Alice (Colburn) Chamberlain. He enjoyed sports as a youth, especially basketball and cross-country running, and was a member of the Rhode Island State Champion Westerly Bulldogs basketball team. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1963. Pete was an officer in the U.S. Navy and served in the Vietnam War.

On July 31, 1965, he married Sarah Dickman in Little Creek, Va. He moved with his family to Wilton in 1976 where he worked for International Paper at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay, retiring in 2004. Pete served his community as a youth soccer coach and as a member of many boards and committees including the Wilton Free Public Library board of directors, the Wilton Planning Board, the Wilton Road Committee and the Foothills Land Conservancy. He was also a dedicated member of the First Congregational Church of Wilton, serving on many of the church’s committees.

In his retirement, Pete enjoyed traveling with family and special friends. He had a passion for books and with friends organized and operated the Wilton Book Sale to benefit the library. He also enjoyed woodworking, cycling, golf and most enjoyed gatherings with family and friends. Pete was a devoted grandfather and was affectionately known as GramPete to his granddaughter, Maggie, and his two grandsons, Reid and Lucas.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sarah, of Wilton; two sons, Lewis Chamberlain and his wife, Jennifer, of Eliot, and David Chamberlain and his wife, BethAnn, of Bloomington, Minn.; and his grandchildren, Maggie, Reid and Lucas; two nieces and a nephew.

He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Chamberlain; and sister, Ruth Chamberlain.

Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall, and a video tribute may be viewed at www.wilesrc.com.