Dover - Dover - With sharp intelligence and a sense of humor to the end, long-time Dover resident Donald Chamberland passed away unexpectedly on Monday April 17. Born in Manchester to Albina (Dube) and Alfred Chamberland, he leaves a legacy of devotion to his family and admiration from everyone he encountered in his 90 years.

Don attended St. Joseph's High School in Manchester where he made life-long friends. He graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UNH, the first of 3 generations of Wildcats. Don served in the US Army and was stationed in Korea from 1953-54.

He worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for 30 years designing submarines and spent his final 10 years of employment at Pease Air Force Base.

Don volunteered for many community organizations, served as President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and chaired local science fairs. As a docent at the Seacoast Science Center, he visited schools to teach students about marine creatures. He was a champion of nature and participated in water monitoring at Great Bay and annual bird counts.

Don was a member of the Portsmouth Country Club where he once made a hole-in-one on the 13th. In addition to golf, Don loved to attend his children's and later grandkids' sporting events. He was an encyclopedia of knowledge about nature and science with a particular affinity for birds, butterflies, and horseshoe crabs. Don kept up with current events by reading newspapers daily. He didn't cook often, but his pork pie at Christmas and baked beans were legendary.

He leaves behind a broken-hearted family. He is survived by his daughter, Dee (Diana) Cote of Amesbury MA, son, Marc Chamberland and fiancé Kristen Buchanan of Barrington and his beloved grandchildren, Ricky Chamberland and fiancé Ellie Hayes of Dover, Ally Chamberland and partner, Kimber Mather of Rifle, CO and Nate and Ben Cote of Amesbury, MA. He was treasured by his sisters Pauline Dumas of Bedford and Jeanne Chamberland of Manchester. Uncle Don, along with his trademark jokes and dry wit, will be missed by his adoring nieces and nephews.

Don was predeceased by Claire, his wife of almost 50 years, his brothers Bob and Bert Chamberland, his sister, Rita McCarthy and his son-in-law Mark Cote. He is reunited with dear friends including Jim Shea, Les Banks and Steve Cooper. His golf foursome is complete again.

May you have the peace and reward you earned during your time on earth.

Please, no flowers. If you wish, you may make a donation to a charity of your choice in Don's name.

Services will be held at Purdy Memorial Chapel, 2 Concord Road (Route 4) in Lee NH on Thursday, April 27, 2023 with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m, religious service with Father Agapit Jean, officiating. A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held later this summer. To sign our online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com.