(08/25/12) North Smithfield – Robert M. Chase, Sr., 81, of Homestead Avenue died Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Providence. He was the beloved husband of the late Katherine L. “Katy” (Shoemaker) Chase.
Born in Providence he was a son of the late Henry F. and Ellen M. (Hannah) Chase. Bob served in the United States Army during the Korean War and in the United States Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam Wars before retiring after twenty-three years honorable service with the rank of Staff Sargent in 1971. He later was employed as a security officer at the Community College of Rhode Island.
As a Mason he was a member of St. John’s Lodge #1F&AM, Providence and a past master of Overseas Lodge #40 F&AM. He also belonged to Harmony Chapter #15 R.A.M.; Providence Council #1; Calvary Commandery K.T.; the Scottish Rite Valley of Providence; the Rhode Island Shriners where he was a member of the Legion of Honor, the Director’s Staff and a former Military Aide; the Swords of Bunker Hill; the Grottoes of North America and the Marhaba Shrine. As a member of the Rhode Island Grand Lodge he served as the Right Worshipful Grand Marshal for Bradford L. Barco, Sr. the Most Worshipful Grand Master in 2004.
Bob was a member and former elder of Greenwood Community Church Presbyterian in Warwick and a former Scout Master and Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America. During the Christmas season Bob often dressed as Santa Claus to entertain at holiday gatherings.
He is survived by his children: Denise R. Brown and her husband Robert of Pawtucket, Robert M. Chase, Jr. and his wife Robin of Coventry, Timoli R. Richardson and her husband Donald of Warwick and Russell A. Chase and his wife Melissa of North Smithfield; his sister: Elizabeth Bligh of West Virginia; his brothers: Donald Chase of Presque Isle, ME and William Chase of Troy, NY and he was a loving “Papa” of his grandchildren Chris, Taylor, Kaitlyn, Alex and Sam. He was the brother of the late Mildred Coccia, Henry and Milton Chase.
His funeral service will be Monday, August 27, 2012 at 10:00 am at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home & Crematory, 659 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick. Calling hours will be on Sunday from 2:00 – 6:00 PM with a Masonic memorial service beginning at 6 PM. Burial with military honors will be in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114. Information and condolences at carpenterjenks.com.
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