Chandler M. Holmes

Rev. Chandler M. 'Hap''' Holmes, 84, died Sunday, January 30, 2005 at Berkshire Medical Center. He was born April 18, 1920 in Biddeford, ME, a son of Rev. Lester and Susan (Maling) Holmes. He lived at Mount Greylock Extended Care Facility in Pittsfield, Massachusetts for the past two years. He previously resided in Cheshire, MA from 1945 until 1970 and in North Waterboro, ME from 1970 until 1997. He attended schools in New Hampshire, Maine and in Worcester, MA where he graduated from North High School in 1939. He went to college and seminary at Eastern Baptist College in Philadelphia, PA where he graduated in 1944. He was ordained in 1945 at Cheshire Baptist Church. He was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Cheshire, MA from 1945 until 1970 and the Berkshire Union Chapel for part of that time. His second pastorate was at North Waterboro Community Church in North Waterboro, ME where he served from 1970 until his retirement in 1997. His Father also had been pastor of that church in Maine. He joined the Masons and became Past Deputy Grand Master from 1956 to 1957. He received his 50-year medal from the Grand Lodge. While in Cheshire he worked at the former Cheshire Garage doing many jobs there, and was affectionately known as "Hap". In both communities, Cheshire and Waterboro, he was a longtime member of the Volunteer Fire Departments. He also played the trumpet and sang at many events. From the 1970's and 80's he, worked as a funeral assistant at Heald Funeral Home in Springvale, ME. He was the co-founder of the Men's Interfaith Breakfast in Cheshire and had an avid interest in Model Trains. His wife, the former Marian Ruth Marshall, whom he married Aug. 25, 1943 in Waterboro, died February 17, 2004. He is survived by three daughters, Susan and her husband Bruce Brady of Wilbraham, MA, Leslie and her husband Robert LaPlante of Hinsdale, MA, and Carolyn and her husband Stanley Gawron of Scarborough, ME. Four Sisters, Phyllis Mugridge of York, ME, Elizabeth Covell of Eastham, MA, Marjorie Bock of West Newfield, ME, and Ruth Hammond of Lyman, ME, 5 Grandchildren, and 10 Great Grandchildren. Funeral services for Rev. Holmes, will be held Thursday at 3.00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Cheshire, MA. The Rev. Linda Shaw, pastor, will officiate, assisted by Rev. William Furey, pastor of Berkshire Union Chapel. Calling hours at the church will be from 1 to 3 pm. A Masonic service will be held at the church at 2:45 pm.Calling hours at North Waterboro Community Baptist Church will be Saturday from Noon to 2:00 pm, with a funeral service at 2 pm. Pastor Timothy Hutchins will officiate, assisted by Pastor Matt O'neill. Interment in the spring will be in Elder Gray Cemetery, North Waterboro.For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to Cheshire Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Saco, ME or North Waterboro Community Baptist Church in care of Heald Funeral Home, P. O. Box 175, Springvale, ME 04083 which is handling arrangements in Maine.