Obituary of Jeffrey W. Chapple

Mr. Jeffrey W. Chapple, 68, of Cunningham Road, Canajoharie, New York, died, Tuesday morning, February 23, 2010 at Little Falls Hospital. Born on January 3, 1942 in Utica, NY, he was the son of Herbert Chapple and Helen Jewell Chapple. He was a graduate of New Hartford High School and Oswego State University. Mr. Chapple had been a resident of Cunningham Road since 1988 when his family residence was built with the help of his wife and two high school students. Mr. Chapple taught Technology Education at Binghamton Central School and Fort Plain Central School for a total of 32.5 years. He had also taught summer Driver Education in Fort Plain for 15 years. He was a current member of the Episcopal, Church of the Good Shepherd in Canajoharie, NY. Mr. Chapple was a member of the Guild of American Luthiers (builders of musical instruments) for many years, the Lazy Eight model airplane flying club and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He was a member of the Canajoharie-Palatine Chamber of Commerce and was President for four years. As Chamber President he developed the Village Business Pep Rally. Mr. Chapple organized and conducted two Pep Rally meetings during the fall of 1998. He helped the Chamber of Commerce enhance economic growth by creating a business survey. He created and helped plan the Chamber of Commerce House Tour project in 1996 & 1997. He developed the idea for the Canajoharie-Palatine Bridge Business Promotion Package and raised the funds locally to have the package created and printed. Mr. Chapple was the founder of Canajoharie 2000, Inc., holding the position of President for four years. As a member of Canajoharie 2000 he helped expand the concept of preserving the Two Guys Building which included writing a grant in 1998 to save the Two Guys Building. He was Chairman of the Village of Canajoharie Planning Board for eight years. As Planning Board Chairman he helped develop the Erie Canal Initiative HUD Grant plan; 3.4 million dollars was won. The Planning Board also promoted the need for waterfront development and other aspects of the Canal Initiative. He received a grant for the funding of the Village Green Park in downtown Canajoharie. Mr. Chapple also helped with the preliminary planning of Roosevelt's Car dealership, the Arkell Center apartment complex and the former Landmark Community Bank. He also helped the Peruzzi family establish their meat market. Mr. Chapple was a business advocate for the Village of Canajoharie, where he developed and maintained two websites, designed, published and raised funds for four Canajoharie brochures. He designed the village logo found on the brochure and web page. Mr. Chapple also designed and built the addition on the Tourist Information Booth and the stage for the Mainstreet Music programs. He wrote and received $240,000 for the ISTEA Grant in 1996 for the bike trail in Canajoharie. In 1965 in Utica, NY he was married to Mary-Jean. In addition to his wife Mary-Jean Chapple of Canajoharie, NY, he is also survived by his daughters, Jennifer Chapple Pynn and Darren of Marion, NY, Krista Chapple Dolan and Scott of Centennial, CO; granddaughter, Abigail Pynn of Marion, NY; grandson, Ryan Dolan of Centennial, CO; brothers, Herbert Chapple of Clinton, NY, Christopher Chapple of Delmar, NY; sister, Cynthia Chapple. He was predeceased by his brother, John Chapple.