Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
William Chant Obituary
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Patricia Brady Chant, in 1978, and by his brother, Ward W. Chant.
Bill graduated from public schools in Randolph, N.Y., and from St. Bonaventure College in Olean, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Army during the World War II era.
He married Patricia Brady on Aug. 8, 1953, in Jamestown, N.Y.
He was a high school math teacher in his hometown, and worked for the FBI as a cryptologist before joining IBM, working as a programming engineer at locations in Kingston, N.Y., Boulder, Colo., and retiring from the Essex Junction facility. Following his ordination as a deacon in the Catholic Church and his retirement from IBM, he attended seminary at Mount St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg, Md., and was ordained a priest, serving in the Diocese of Burlington at parishes in Burlington, Brattleboro, Richford and Williamstown.
Following retirement as an active priest, he traveled the length and breadth of Vermont, filling in at parishes as a relief priest. Some of his greatest joy was found behind the wheel of his car, driving tens of thousands of miles each year, both in his priestly duties and for his own enjoyment and discovery. He held a pilot's license for most of his life, giving it up following a plane crash in southeast Pennsylvania during the 1980s.
Bill is survived by his longtime companion, Elizabeth Lower, and her family. He also leaves a brother, Robert. R. Chant of St. Peters, Mo.; four sons, Stephen J. Chant of Colchester, Paul W. Chant of Chocorua, N.H., Daniel P. Chant of South Burlington and Timothy J. Chant of Warwick, R.I.; three daughters, Catherine M. Chant of Northfield, Barbara C. Colton of Hingham, Mass., and Elizabeth M. Chant of Colchester. He also is survived by 12 grandchildren, Ariel, Luke, Libby, Margaret, Sarah, Emily, Thomas, Jacqueline, Jessica, Ethan, Brady and Drew, and one great-granddaughter, Hannah.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, at Our Lady of the Snows Church in Waitsfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to COTS (Committee on Temporary Shelter), P.O. Box 1616, Burlington, VT 05402.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Chant
December 29, 2010
Fr. Bill rode with my Dad to IBM for
years; I knew him to have the patience of
a saint! His kind,gentle soul was mirrored in the beautiful smile he always wore.My Mom adored him, and he was always there for our family...we shall never forget him. Peace to you all,
Cheryl McDonough
Ray & Agnes Racine
December 22, 2010
I worked with your Father years ago at IBM. He was a wonderful man
and will be missed greatly.
Chantal Dodge
December 20, 2010
Father Chant was a wonderful, kind, caring man who was there for me in my teenage years and later on married my husband and I.. What an Honor!!! I thank God to have known such a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family
December 20, 2010
To the Chant children,
I did not know your father very well, just as a parent of kids I went to school with, but I did know some of you and was sorry to hear of your fathers passing. It sounds as if he had a very full second half of his life and I am sure you are all very proud of him but will miss him very much.
Thinking of you.
Kristal Foster
Moretown, VT
Barbara Walker
December 20, 2010
Dear Steve,
I'm sorry to hear of your father's passing. I recall how enjoyable his sermons at St. Mark's in Burlington were, when I lived in Vermont (the first time).
I'm sure he was greeted in heaven with 'Well done good and faithful servant'.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Your father was a very special man to many of us.
Barbara
Fr.Skip Baltz
December 17, 2010
Fr.Bill often visited with me in Brandon many times in his travels. Always a pleasant time. Part of his retired minisry was to stop and chit-chat with priests;I'll miss that. When I needed help he was there for me. Due to previous parish commitments I will not be at the funeral Mass. I will offer three Masses for him. May he rest in peace.
Roland & Clairette Berard
December 15, 2010
We only met him a couple of times, and the first time on a Pilgrimage to Cape de Madeline, and had dinner with him. We enjoyed his talks.. We lost a great man and Priest. Our sympathy to his family.
Paul Chant
December 15, 2010
Our family provided obituary printed above noted my father's "longtime companion" Betty Lower. This has caused some concern in the Roman Catholic Church. It should not. Ms. Lasker was a helpful, close friend to my father for many years. Nothing else should be implied.
Paul Chant, son of William S. Chant
December 15, 2010
How sad we were to hear the news of dear Fr. Chant's passing. We loved to go to St. Sylvester's church in Graniteville when he celebrated Mass, and always with a great deal of love in his heart for the Lord and those in the congregation. One of our fondest memories was when our son Kevin learned to be an altar server with Fr. Chant, he was always so kind and patient. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.
Marc & Chris Conti
Barre, VT
Colleen Brady - Cranford
December 14, 2010
Oh Uncle Bill..how I enjoyed it when the door bell would ring and it would be you with your clothes in paper bags as your luggage..you always put a smile on my face...may your rest in peace
Karen DeHond
December 14, 2010
Bill was a bright spot in my life. He'd roll in around 5 pm and we'd talk for hours. Sometimes we'd be talking so much I'd forget to put something into the recipe I was making, ie: forgetting the cheese in the lasagna. He never complained, would just tease a bit. By 8 am he was on the road to his next stop. As long as I live I'll remember his morning greeting to me "Good mornin' sunshine". I expect and hope that is how God is greeting him. The world was a better place with Bill in it. We'll miss him.
Cousin Karen
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
Make a Donation
in William Chant's name
Memorial Events
for William Chant
How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor William Chant's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
