Oliver Spalding Chappell, age 94, died on March 2 in Naples, Florida, with his two devoted daughters at his side. He was born on June 13, 1931, in Willimantic, Connecticut, to Maro and Dorothy (Lillibridge) Chappell. A man of integrity and long-standing friendships, Oliver leaves behind a legacy of professional achievement and a family who loved him dearly.

Oliver graduated from Windham High School in 1949, and joined the Connecticut National Guard before matriculating at UConn. When the Korean War broke out the following year, the Guard was mobilized into the 43rd Division of the U.S.Army and was deployed to Munich, Germany. While there, Sgt. First Class Chappell was honored to be chosen to represent his unit when he was interviewed by General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

After serving his country, Oliver, also known as Chap, re-enrolled in college, this time at Brown University, in Providence RI, where he received both an undergraduate and graduate degree, as well as being elected president of his sophomore class. He spent the next year and a half as a high school math teacher before being enrolled at the University of Chicago Law School from which he received his Juris Doctor in 1963.

Oliver practiced law for 48 years with extensive experience in a variety of legal spheres:

private practice with partner Omar Shepard and later with James Mark; lecturer in law at the University of Connecticut School of Business; Town Attorney for Willington and for Mansfield; Opal Development Corporation with Paul Brody; vice president and counsel at Whitman and Company, an investment and real estate banking firm in Boston.

Nearing retirement, he served as chairman of an arbitration and mediation panel at the American Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. He also served as of counsel for Kahan, Kerensky, Capossela (KKC) law firm.

Oliver’s personal interests were as varied as his professional life. He was a voracious reader of history and politics, along with contemporary and classic literature, and enjoyed listening to classical music, especially Bach. Oliver also had a great appreciation for the natural world. Like his father, Maro, he was an avid fly fisherman and spent countless hours on rivers and streams with his fellow angler Bill Hall. He enjoyed even more hours on his backyard deck birdwatching with his beloved partner Stephanie.

Oliver possessed an analytical, and curious mind. He could talk for hours about a variety of subjects with remarkable depth and clarity. He was a man of unshakeable integrity and loyalty. On the other hand, he demonstrated a sense of humor, irony, and playfulness that delighted all in his orbit. A great source of joy for him was treating each member of the youngest generation to a one-on-one visit to his home in Rumford, RI. Grandchildren, and nieces and nephews each received the full Grampa Chap/Uncle Chap Experience.

As the beloved patriarch of our family, Oliver leaves a tremendous void in our lives, but treasured memories remain with daughters Deborah Angelis(Jim) and Jennifer Childers(Rob); grandchildren, Andrew and Abby Thomas; Karlie Angelis; sister, Shirley Mustard; nephew, Craig Mustard(Pam); niece, Darcy Compton(David); and grands Claire Compton, and Evan and Bryson Mustard.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his cherished partner Stephanie Sullivan; Constance Chappell, the mother of his children; and his loving step-mother, Elizabeth Tyson Chappell.

A memorial service will be held at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, Willimantic, on June 11 at 2:00 p.m. Refreshments and fellowship to follow at the Mustard Home.