James "Jim" Chaffee

Marlborough, Massachusetts – James Edward Chaffee, 78, left his earthly life on November 21, 2025, after a long struggle with disabling medical issues and was undoubtedly met by the soul of his beloved husband, David V. Marino, and those of many loved ones who passed before him.

Anyone whose life was blessed by knowing this remarkably knowledgeable, generous and loving human being understands that the loss of Jim leaves this world a much poorer place. Jim was born in Auburn, Massachusetts on April 25, 1947 to the late Kenneth W. & June (Wirths) Chaffee and was raised in Auburn MA.

After graduating from Auburn High School, Jim went on to attend and graduate from Clark University in Worcester, MA, majoring in Spanish and minoring in German. He then attended and graduated from the Andover Newton Theological Seminary, earning a Master's degree in Divinity. While he was denied the opportunity to be ordained as an openly gay minister, he held deep spiritual beliefs all his life, eventually turning to Buddhism. He had an incredibly diverse working career, teaching GED classes in Laconia, NH, and then in Florida, before returning to the Northeast and working as an orderly at the Westerly, RI Hospital and at the South County Hospital in Wakefield, RI. Then, using his strong linguistic abilities, Jim worked for the Washington Trust Bank in Westerly, RI, eventually rising to become the head of their computer department. After a few years there, he resigned his position and studied holistic medicine at Princeton University, earning a degree in that field and establishing a small practice in Rhode Island. He met David V. Marino during that period and became David's partner and then his husband when Massachusetts legalized same-sex marriage. Jim later attended Harvard University and earned a degree in the practice of Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, establishing his private practice in the city of Marlborough, MA. Finally, he surrendered his license to practice acupuncture and herbal medicine and took a part-time position at the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, where he worked until his retirement. Jim was also an active member of the Marlborough Rotary Club, where he made many friends.

Jim is predeceased by his husband and beloved partner of 19 years, David V. Marino of Marlborough, and is survived by his elder brother Kenneth F. Chaffee and his wife Linda (Smith) of Ashaway, RI, as well as his younger brother Jeffrey L. Chaffee of Old Orchard Beach, ME. He also leaves his nephews Kenneth B. Chaffee and his wife Jennifer of Summerville, PA, Christopher R. Allen of E. Providence, RI, his nieces Susan E. (Chaffee) Montag and her husband Tom of Brookville, PA, Jennifer (Allen) Tehan and her husband John of Willington, CT, Dawn (Hindle) Hancock and her husband Douglas of E. Bernard, TX, Elizabeth J. (Chaffee) Szatkowski and her husband John of Maynard, MA and Meredith L. (Chaffee) Button and her husband Thomas of Standish, ME., as well as many cousins and their families and several grand-nephews and nieces, and several great grand-nephews and nieces. Jim leaves behind many dear and close friends , including Kevin Schneider, Carter Schneider/Kourafas and Amanda Kourafas of Marlborough, MA, Janet and Eric Rutan of Melrose, MA, Douglas Palino and Elaine McDonald of Berlin, MA, Christopher and Shelley Keene of Shrewsbury, MA and many others too numerous to list here.

Services will be private, and burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Marlborough at the convenience of his loved ones.

The Short & Rowe Funeral Home, 95 W. Main Street, Marlborough, MA is directing arrangements.

Memorial donations in Jim's name may be made to: Serlingpa Meditation Center, 514 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, Attn: Ms. Erin Phillips