John Edward Chamberlain

FRANKLIN - John Edward Chamberlain Sr. passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on Saturday, September 21, 2024. He was born on February 12, 1939 to the late Claira Marie Benoit Chamberlain, in Bridport, Vermont.

John never shied away from hard work. As a young boy in Burlington, he had multiple jobs such as setting up bowling pins at the local YMCA. He was a short order cook and a delivery boy for a Jewish Delicatessen, and a caddie at the Burlington Country Club.

As a young man, he joined the National Guard, 294 Ordinance. He was activated for one year due to the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1964, he worked for his father-in-law, Leroy Tourville, on a 60-head dairy farm in Underhill, Vermont. John then purchased his own dairy farm in 1969 in Sheldon, VT. Unfortunately, that farm was destroyed by fire which caused John to relocate to West Berkshire where he purchased another farm and raised his family.

After several years of farming, John decided to pursue a career as a truck driver. His trucking career brought him to many places, including New York City, Boston, and Providence, RI. He became a familiar face at many Maplefields Stores where he delivered fuel. He also trucked logs to many different mills in Canada and Vermont. John was extremely proud when his son, Jack, started a trucking company, following in his footsteps.

John loved spending time with his family. He made sure to take time off each year for a family vacation. He also enjoyed going to bed and breakfast's with his wife, Mary Ann.

John received accolades from Governor Madeleine M. Kunin on December 18, 1984 for driving his log truck off the road to avoid striking a stalled school bus. John's heroic act, a split second decision to risk his own life by driving his loaded log truck into a 40-foot ravine, prevented serious injury to the 30 children on the bus; John's exceptional courage and instinctive selflessness exemplifies a spirit that makes all Vermonters proud. John received a proclamation on television from Madeleine Kunin, which was her first act as Governor.

In his free time, John enjoyed snowmobiling and going to classic car shows. His favorite classic car was his burgundy 1969 El Camino. Many people in Franklin County will recall seeing John and Mary Ann out on Sunday drives.

John is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Ann Tourville Chamberlain. (They would have celebrated 64 years of marriage on November 25th.) He leaves behind his children, Angel LaRose and her husband, Tim, Shari Brosam and her husband, Rich, Jack Chamberlain and his partner, Stepanie Fuller; his grandchildren, many of whom traveled from out of state to be by John's side as he passed, Tara LaRose Giunta and her husband, Stephen, Trevor LaRose, Tyler LaRose, Dayle Brosam, Alex Brosam, Kyle Chamberlain and his wife, Katherine, Dylan Chamberlain and Kalie Chamberlain; his great grandchildren, Parker Giunta, Sawyer and Sullivan Chamberlain. He also leaves his brother, Ernie Chamberlain and his wife Peggy; sister-in-law, Jean Chamberlain; brothers-in-law, Lee Tourville and his wife Linda, and Brian Tourville; sisters-in-law, Janet Carr and her husband Pearson, Carla Jacobs and her husband, Leslie Linsmier. Lots of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family that he was very fond of. John also leaves his best friend, Baxter McNeal.

Friends and family are invited to John's life celebration on Friday, September 27, 2024 to include visitation at 10:00-11:00 AM followed with a memorial service at 11:00 AM at the Goss-Spears Life Celebration Home, 96 Dickinson Avenue, Enosburg Falls, VT. Following the service, everyone is invited to the Felco Room at the Franklin Homestead for a meal catered by Lise Gates.

For those who wish, contributions in John's memory may be made to the Franklin Homestead at 142 Homestead Drive, Franklin, Vermont 05457 or VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478.

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com