J. Richard Chabot, M.D.

J. Richard Chabot, M.D., 88, of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, entered eternal life on August 1, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he dedicated his life to his family, to his profession and to his Catholic faith. Born in Sanford, Maine on September 6, 1932, he was the son of the late Antonio and Lumina Chabot. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Fordham University and then graduated cum laude from Laval University Medical School, where he received a Doctor of Medicine degree.

Dr. Chabot completed his surgical residency at Springfield Hospital in 1963. He then served a two-year tour of duty with the United States Army as Captain and Chief Surgeon at Redstone Missile Command Army Hospital in Huntsville, Alabama. He returned to Springfield in 1966 to join a private practice in General Surgery and was later appointed Chief of General Surgery and then Vice Chairman of the Department of Surgery for Baystate Medical Center. Dr. Chabot was a pioneer in the use of preoperative radiation for rectal cancer and published multiple articles on the subject, in addition to serving on the editorial committee for the journal Cancer. He achieved the rank of Clinical Professor of Surgery with Tufts University School of Medicine in 1989. During his tenure at Baystate, he served on the Baystate Health Systems and Baystate Medical Center Board of Trustees as well as various committees and was the Chairman and Organizer of Reach to Recovery for the American Cancer Society. Dr. Chabot was a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society, the New England Cancer Society, the New England Surgical Society and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Upon retirement and a move to Palm City, Florida, he became a board member and volunteer surgeon for Light of The World Charities, a non-profit organization sponsoring medical missionary teams in Central America, Africa and Haiti. Throughout Dr. Chabot’s career, he was deeply respected by colleagues and revered by his many patients.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Del Chabot of Longmeadow; five devoted children, Laurie Maglathlin and her husband Peter, Dr. John Chabot and his wife Laurie, Carol Steele and her husband Rick, Alan Chabot and his wife Alicia, Leslie Volk and her husband Todd; 19 adoring grandchildren: Emily Steele, PJ Maglathlin, Caroline d’Orchimont, Sarah Canning, Dr. Jack Steele, Andrea Sacks, Elizabeth MacLennan, Hannah Steele, Phoebe Lobkowicz, Joseph Volk, Madeleine Chabot, Claudia Volk, Addie Chabot, Ian Chabot, AJ Chabot, Annie Volk, Jamie Chabot, Billy Chabot, Peter Chabot; and 10 great grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 519 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA. Memorial donations may be made to Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA 01199 or online at www.baystatehealth.org/giving