Bruce Jeffrey Chapman

1947 - 2023

Oakdale ­- Bruce Jeffrey Chapman, 75, of Oakdale, died June 22, 2023, at Apple Rehab in Uncasville. He was born in New London, Sept. 22, 1947, the son of Percy Dudley Chapman Jr. and Clara Mildred Bruce Chapman. He was the husband of Linda Kleinschmidt Chapman who survives him.

Mr. Chapman had worked for twenty years at the Electric Boat Company and ten years with the Old Lyme Police Department. He had worked at the Mohegan Sun Casino since its opening and retired as a supervisor of security. He graduated from Waterford High School, Class of 1965, and Thames Valley Technical College. Bruce was an elder of the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut; his tribal name was "Gentle Wind," which bears the meaning of caretaker.

He was predeceased by his father Percy Dudley Chapman Jr.; his mother Clara Mildred Bruce Chapman; and his stepmother Anne Marie O'Connor Chapman; as well as a brother, John Edward Chapman. He is survived by his wife Linda; son Steven Chapman of Griswold; stepdaughter Michelle Nelson of Sheboygan, Wis.; brothers, Dudley Morgan Chapman of Medina, Ohio, and Frank Martin Chapman of North Stonington; and sister Grace Anne Chapman of Uncasville. He has a granddaughter, Allysa Nicole Nelson of Sheboygan; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 7, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday July 8, in the Fort Shantok Burial Grounds, Massapeag Side Road, in Uncasville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Connecticut Humane Society (cthumane.org) or Kitty Harbor, whose mission is to provide a loving home and solid adoption opportunities for abandoned, unwanted, or abused felines (www.kittyharbor.org). Condolences may be left on Bruce's memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.