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John Chasse Obituary
Rutland - John J. Chasse, 73, beloved husband, father, brother and friend passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 28, 2018. He was born in Worcester on March 14, 1945, the son of Joseph M. and Margaret (Peltier) Chasse.
He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Maria P. (Kelley) Chasse; his daughter, Lisa Gigliotti; his sister, Catherine Chasse and her wife, Geraldine McQuoid and their son, Thomas; his grandchildren, Patrick and Christopher Chasse of CT and Tanner and Hailey Gigliotti of Rutland; a niece and several nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Matthew M. Chasse in 2011.
John graduated from South High School in Worcester with the class of 1962. He went on to study at the former Leicester Junior College and the University of Nebraska at Peru before receiving his Masters of Education from Worcester State University. John was an outstanding athlete and a member of the Worcester Public School's Hall of Fame, Leicester Junior Hall of Fame and the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. John received an honorable mention at All American Junior College in 1964.
John proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He served as Sergeant with the 9th Infantry Division Brigade 4th 47th Mobile Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta. He earned a Silver Star, a Bronze Star for Valor with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, an Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, an Air Medal for over one hundred combat assaults by helicopter, the Vietnamese Defense Medal and the National Defense Medal.
John taught history for 37 years at Leicester High School. He was Social Studies Department Head and also coached boy's Varsity golf, girl's Varsity basketball, girl's softball, boy's basketball and served as Assistant Coach of the football team. John was an avid golfer at Bedrock Golf Course and was proud of the three times he scored a hole in one. He also enjoyed his morning coffee with his friends at Dunkin Donuts and Honey Farms.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 3 to 7 pm on Wednesday, August 1st at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Thursday, August 2 at St. Patrick's Church, 258 Main St., Rutland. Burial will follow at Rural Cemetery, Main St., Rutland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to BeLikeBrit, please visit www.belikebrit.org and click "donate". To share a memory or offer a condolence visit
www.milesfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Chasse
Sponsored by Miles Funeral Home - Holden.
Jo Ann Currie Tom Currie
July 22, 2025
My husband served with John in Vietnam and he had the highest respects for John. They finally connected again after all those years right before John passed. May we always remember where our freedoms come from.
Paul Orczyk
August 6, 2018
It was very sad to hear of the passing of a wonderful person and talented athlete. Jack and I rekindled a friendship on the golf course at Bedrock. He and I attended South High School many years ago. I was amazed and greatly admired him as an athlete when were in school together, the world was a better place because of Jack and all of his achievements and the impact he had on some many people during his short life God gave him on this earth. He now joins his son and other members of his family in Heaven. I am sure that will be quite a reunion and welcoming committee , Rest In Peace my friend
Paul and Ellen Orczyk
Shawna
August 5, 2018
Please accept my deepest condolences for your family's loss. May you be comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding you. Words cannot even begin to express our sorrow. John was a great man. He knew just the right things to say to put a smile on anyone's faces. He wasn't just the best teacher. Or husband to his wife. Or father to his children Or friend.but He was our hero. We all miss you at honey dew. Drinking your small coffee and eating the 3 or sometimes 4 of the dew drops. Like I said to you everyday. You are my hero. <3 rest peacefully.
Julieann Day-Preston
August 4, 2018
Mr. Chasse was my favorite teacher, a true inspiration to all that were lucky enough to have him as a teacher. My sincere prayers and condolences to his family.
Julieann Day Preston Class of 1983 LHS
Stefan
August 3, 2018
Mr. Chasse was truly an inspiration both in the classroom and in life. I was lucky enough to have him at LHS in the late 90s. He was a great teacher and mentor who always made time for his students. Truly one of the best people I've be privileged to know.
Donna Hidenfelter-Barber
August 2, 2018
I had Mr. Chase for History at LHS 80-84, always made the class interesting, kept you paying attention, great teacher, all around nice guy. Very luck to have had him for a teacher. I'm so sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to you and your family with thoughts and prayers.
August 1, 2018
Mr. Chase was one of my favorite teachers at Leicester High. I'm sorry to hear this news.
M.E Kane
August 1, 2018
Mr. Chasse was one of my inspirations at LHS.
As my Varsity Softball coach he believed in me as pitcher, and we went to the state championships.
For student government, I was lucky enough to be lottery selected as Lt. Governor for the day, and Mr. Chasse drove me to the State House and enjoyed talking politics with State Rep. John Binienda, (another great teacher in the Leicester Public School system.)
Mr. Chasse was one of those once in a lifetime, dedicated teachers and individuals, who make a lifelong impact on their students.
I was lucky and blessed to be privelaged by his influence. And am very saddened I missed a chance to catch up with him since in all these years.
August 1, 2018
Mr. Chasse was one of my inspirations in my LHS years. He was the coach who believed in me and gave me a chance to pitch softball on a team that went to the state championships.
He was my ride with my teammates to that same softball practice, in his cronky vintage car, getting on down to the town "little league" field, so we could work together to be our best, and maybe win enough games to get to said "championship s."
We also went to the Massachusetts State House in that car when I was selected to be Lt. Governor for a day, and he talked politics with our Representative to the State House, John Binienda.
I always felt important, and that I had so much potential in his eyes. That is so important for a young person at that age, but especially a young woman.
I appreciate the gift of having such a good influence on my life in high school.
I look back on those years fondly. And will miss knowing now he is no longer with us here.
August 1, 2018
Maria and Family,John and I were teammates in football and later in softball , A great mentor and friend He will be greatly missed
Jeff Houlihan class of 63 South High
Karen (Wetherbee)Henderson
July 31, 2018
My condolences to the family. Mr. Chase was my favorite teacher in h.s. and he absolutely knew his stuff and knew how to teach and make learning meaningful and fun. Having him as my history teacher, along with my unofficial mentor when I subbed, made my decision so easy to become a history teacher myself. May you rest in peace and may your angel wings soar unimpeded and free.
Eren (Rzeznikiewicz) Malpass
July 31, 2018
My sincere condolences to the Chasse family. Jack was a great teacher and coach with a sense of humor that had us smiling at the start of each day in his homeroom. I was happy to see him and catch up a couple of years ago at the Worcester Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. May he rest in peace. LHS Class of 1990
Courtney Merchant
July 31, 2018
Mr.Chasse was my next door neighbor on Anthony Drive for a very long time. I worked at honey farms for a while too and always loved seeing him. He was a great man and I will always remember him.
Leonard Gengel
July 31, 2018
Marie and Lisa I'm so saddened to hear of John's passing, may he rest in eternal peace. I'm sorry for your loss and was proud to call John a friend, He was one of the Good Guys! I'm sorry I won't be able to attend services as I'm traveling to Haiti, but will remember John this Sunday in Mass at Brit's Home where Matthew is honored everyday.
Keeping the Faith, Len Gengel
Patrick McKeon
July 31, 2018
Rest in Peace, Mr. Chasse, you were a great history teacher, coach, and a proud Veteran. LHS 1975
Al Rugg
July 30, 2018
I was so saddened and shocked to hear of Jacks passing,I would see him every
Morning, Jack would be the first one on the putting green and I stop and we
Talk about the importance of chipping & putting and worked diligently at it.
Jack so impressed me as such a sweet gentlemen with a great sence of humor.
I will tip my hat when I pass the putting green..Sail on Jack sail on.
Russell Hopkins
July 30, 2018
Rest in Peace, Mr. Chasse.
Leicester High, class of 1986
Billy Martin
July 30, 2018
Rest in Peace Johnny #59. You were one hell of a quarterback.
your teammate Bill Martin.
Billy Martin
July 30, 2018
Kim Hennessy-DePatie
July 30, 2018
The best America History teacher I ever had. Rest In Peace
Victor Mikkila
July 30, 2018
Vic LHS class of 86
July 30, 2018
My Condolences to the Chasse Family.Mr.Chasse was a great teacher and a good man,R.I.P.,Vic Mikkila.
Barbara Mellor
July 30, 2018
To John's family~
There are no adequate words to reflect the profound sadness that we all feel at Dunkin Donuts in Rutland. Our crew, past and present truly loved seeing John every morning. Kind, caring, compassionate, and genuine. In the seven years, that I have been at Dunks, there were very few days that I did not see John. It will not ever be the same without him. Please take comfort in knowing how much he was admired and loved for the wonderful person he was. Prayers and blessings to all of you, from all of us at DD.
Richard Poissant
July 30, 2018
My condolences Mari, John was a wonderful man. RIP My friend
July 30, 2018
My Prayers go out to the Chasse Family...
Wonderful Man, Great teacher, Great Coach... could make you laugh and say stuff that no other teacher would. It was a blessing knowing Him.
Jeff Bradshaw
Springfield, MA
George Redmond
July 30, 2018
Dear Chasse Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Like so many others, I too admired John very much. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Respectfully,
Spike
Michael Camarda
July 30, 2018
Me. Chase was a wonderful teacher, mentor, and all around great guy.
I will miss him and think of him often. I pray for his soul and peace to his family.
Michael Camarda
Melissa Noel
July 30, 2018
Mr chasse was an amazing teacher, coach, and mentor who left his mark on so many at LHS. My condolences to his family and friends, saddened to hear this news. Rest easy sir.
A.J. McCaskey
July 30, 2018
John was the greatest. I was so saddened by the news of his passing. My condolences to his family.
I am proud to say I served with John (& many other great men) in the 9th Infantry Div. in Viet Nam. My heart goes out to all his family and friends.
July 30, 2018
Our sincere condolences to Maria and Lisa. John was a wonderful guy, a pleasure to have known. A war hero that we all tend to forget about. He served for all of us. He will be remembered.
Tony & June Buthray
Stacey Willman
July 30, 2018
Jack, I really enjoyed seeing and talking to you and the boys every morning at Dunkins. You all put a little sunshine to the start of my day. So very heartbreaking. Prayers to your family. May you rest peacefully.
Paul Sullivan
July 30, 2018
To the Chasse and Kelley Families,
I student taught with Jake at LHS in the early 70's. I had known of his athletic skills, having watched him many times at Leicester Junior and South. He was a great guy with a devilish sense of humor and one of the most positive attitudes I've ever encountered. Over the years we had a few laughs about this and that and I always left him with a smile on my face. He will truly be missed by many.
I will remember all of you in my prayers during your time of sorrow.
Respectfully,
Paul Sullivan
Sandy & David Brunelle
July 30, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
John Gannon
July 30, 2018
I remember John, my South High classmate, as a gifted athlete and as a thoughtful, good-humored, nice guy. No surprises in the full, productive life he lived for family and others. He was a man of character and accomplishment whose admirable personal qualities were evident in his youngest days. I hope his family finds consolation and peace in the impact he had.
Ian Underwood
July 29, 2018
Mr. Chasse was one of my history teachers at Leicester High in the 1990s. He loved sharing his experiences in Vietnam with his classes and I thought he was a pretty good guy all around.
One of his catch phrases when I was there: Chasse trainer is better trained.
July 29, 2018
Great memories good friend, Rest In Peace.. Paul and Mary gorman.
Danny O'Henley
July 29, 2018
My most sincere condolences to the John's family.I was never the athlete that John was but I have to say that he was my very first teacher.I was probably 9 and he was 12.Baseball,basketball and football.My very earliest influence and i've always remembered him thru the years for that.Please may you rest in peace.
Danny O'Henley
July 29, 2018
dan
Judith Tonelli-Brown
July 29, 2018
I came to know Jack during the recent few years that I have both worked at Becker College and Bedrock Golf Course. Just this past Thursday, at Bedrock, I complimented him on how healthy and fit he looked. I did not know him well, but in the times we have had conversations, he came across as such a caring, intelligent, kind, and thoughtful man, that he made an impression on me. The news of his passing came as a huge shock and I was surprised at how deeply it has affected me. There was something about this man that was exceptional. Now I read his obituary and it solidifies my feelings. What a generous and giving soul. My heart goes out to you his family and close friends. You have lost a true gem. Sincerely yours Judy Tonelli-Brown
July 29, 2018
My sympathies to the family. Mr. Chasse was my history teacher back in the mid-seventies at Leicester High Scool. He was an inspirational teacher and truly gave me an appreciation for history. I recall stories of Vietnam and would like to tell his family how much I appreciated his service both as a teacher and for his military service.
-Lisa LHS '76
Lowell "Tom" Currie
July 29, 2018
I served with John in 1968-1969 in Vietnam. We were together in the lst Platoon, "A" Company, 4/47, 9th Infantry Division. It was a privilege and an honor to serve with John. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. I am so happy that I was able to talk with him this spring after our separation from Vietnam almost fifty years ago.
July 29, 2018
Ugh john why you... You were such a great guy. Very handsome indeed to. Honey farms will miss you so much. Not only were you a customer to us but you were part of our family. May you rest in peace with the beautiful angels.
Michael McCann
July 28, 2018
My deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to John's familyand friends. I served with John in Vietnam(1968-1969) and was his platoon sergeant. I was very close to John while in Vietnam and have only the fondest and respectful memories of John as not only a member of our Army unit(1st, Platoon, "A" Company. 4/47, 9th. Infantry Division) but as a caring human being. I was shocked by the news of John's passing as it serves to remind me of our mortality and again a reminder to be thanful for every day we have on earth and to treat all with respect. Thank you John for the influence you had on me while we served in Vietnam. You will always be a positve aspect in my memory in which we survived in difficult times in a far, far away place called Vietnam.
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