Edward P. Chapman

SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS- Edward P. Chapman, 94, passed away on February 22, 2019; surrounded by the love of his family.
 Edward was the husband of the late Barbara (Blake) Chapman; and the late Delia (Wood) Chapman.  He was born in Brattleboro, VT on February 1, 1925 the son of the late Edward A. and Jane E. (Tidd) Chapman. Edward was an honorably discharged United States Marine Veteran, during W.W. II, having fought at Iwo Jima. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart.  Edward retired in the early 1980’s as Captain from the Springfield Police Department, Springfield, MA after serving the city for 30 years.  During this time he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Western New England College, Springfield. He was a parishioner of St. Patrick's Church, Springfield; belonged to the American Legion Post#452, Chicopee; and was a past member of the Knights of Columbus. He also enjoyed golf and fishing.  He leaves his two sons, Phillip R. and his wife Linda Chapman, of East Longmeadow, MA David E. and his wife Valerie Chapman, of Wilbraham, MA; two grandchildren, C.J. and his wife Meg Chapman, and Brian Chapman; a great granddaughter, Ella Chapman.  He also leaves nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a sister Eleanor Mellish.  He also leaves 12 step children, Leland Wood and wife Kathleen, Larry Wood and ex-wife Nola, Brenda Chamberlain and husband Carl, Wayne Wood and wife Patricia, Gary Wood and wife Joanne, Audrey Julian and husband Rudy, Gail Ginsberg and husband Fred, Keith Wood and wife Cindi, Pamela Uracius and husband Brian, Karen Matthieu and husband Paul; and 29 step grandchildren. Edward was predeceased by 2 step children, Judy McCabe and Marsha Andross. A funeral service for Edward will begin at 8:30AM on Thursday February 28, 2019 from the Forastiere Smith Family Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00AM in St. Patrick’s Church, 1900 Allen Street, Springfield.  Burial with military honors will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, 1601 State St., Springfield.  Calling hours will take place from 4:00PM – 7:00PM on Wednesday February 27, 2019 in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 or to Target Cancer Foundation, 955 Massachusetts Ave. , #343, Cambridge, MA 02139.www.forastiere.com .