Alexander Chapski

Alexander Chapski, passed on January 13th, he just turned 92 in December.  Al leaves his wife Clare, of 37 years.  

Al was raised in the West End of Boston, Auburn St.  He loved telling stories of his youth in the neighborhood and the antics of he and his friends.  He would talk about going to the West End House, where they had organized clubs and sports. Al said he would go there almost 7 days a week.  He excelled at played basketball, played pingpong, boxing matches.  Or the stories, of how they would watch the Celtics for free, by using a secret entrance that only city kids like him knew how to get into. His parents were hard working immigrants from Poland, he was one of five.  He joined the Coast Guard in 1950 and was stationed in New York city, on the Tamaroa. He was young, expanding his world, he enjoyed this part of his life very much.  His love of ships and boats continued thru his life.  He enjoyed spending days in Gloucester or Salisbury, a day in the sun watching the craft come and go. 

He settled down in Roslindale, with his wife Geraldine, having two sons Richard and Gerald.  He was Employed at Baystate Lincoln Mercury in Framingham, for most of his career, as a dealership mechanic.  He was widowed at an early age, with two teenage sons.  He managed to work and raise them into fine men.  He took it upon himself, to look for fun and companionship, by attending singles dances, which is where he met Clare. He filled up her dance card, taught her how to dance better, and started dating only each other.  That was the beginning of his new life with Clare.

 
They continued to like dancing, often at the Davensport Yacht Club, taking trips and days at the beach.  Al had a curiosity about knowing more, he was interested in seeing new things, traveling and exploring.  Al and Clare married in 1984, residing in Wilmington.  They had found each other and really took advantage of their time together. He retired early, sold Wilmington and bought in Dracut for summer and in West Palm Beach as they started to winter there.  There they lived in an over 55 community in Florida, it seemed like they were on a college campus!  Al enjoyed this life very much; he made lots of new friends, took part in many activities and gatherings.  He played shuffleboard and bocce, the beach, socializing and dancing with Clare at parties.  He loved retirement, traveling and going on cruises, often with his lifelong friend, Ted Christo and his wife Francis.  They were a foursome and did something together every week.

He loved his family, WW2 airplanes & boats, the Patriots & Soxs, maps, donuts and polka music.  He was healthy and happy, prior to Covid 19 entering and taking his life.  He passed away at the VA hospital in West Roxbury, where for weeks he received the most excellent care and compassion by the nurses and drs who helped during this very difficult time.  They were incredible with their kindness and willingness to help him and us converse, while we could not be with him, because of covid.  We are forever grateful to them.

He will be missed by his son, Gerald of West Roxbury, and Richard who predeaced him. He was proud of his grandchildren, Melissa, Dan & Michael of Medfield, and Katherine & Samantha of Vermont. His stepchildren Bonnie of Manchester and Deborah and husband Torsten will miss him very much. He was a wonderful husband to his wife Clare, the love of his life; who will miss him every day.  Alexander was a devoted husband and father, a warm and gentle grandfather; he will be loved and remembered fondly by his family and many friends.

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