He was born in Biddeford on Oct. 27, 1936, the son of Maurice Warren Chappell and Emma Bernice (Eaton) Chappell. He grew up in Biddeford, where he graduated from Biddeford High School, Class of 1955.
Ray was a multi-talented person. He was an auto mechanic for several years, eventually working at Brown Pontiac. He also built houses and additions to houses. Ray was a prolific collector, stamps, coins, baseball cards; you name it, he probably collected it.
He married his second wife, the former Maxine Beatrice (McDonald) on Dec. 21, 1978.
Ray was a voracious reader, preferring books to television. It is safe to say he read thousands of books; at one point, he even purchased the complete contents of a library, placed them in a trailer, and brought them home!
Ray is survived by his loving wife of nearly 37 years, Maxine Chappell of East Waterboro; his son, Donald Chappell and wife Laurie of Sanford; two daughters, Carol Whitehouse and husband Michael of Chesterville, Donna Rich- Melanson and husband Roger of Sanford; his stepdaughter, Carol Burgess and husband Dale of Saco; five grandchildren, Amanda Chappell, April Pettingill, Kendra Woodward, Patricia Smith, and Matthew Lewis; and three great grandchildren.
Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 5-7 p.m. at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk. Funeral services will be private.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Ray’s Book of Memory Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St, Kennebunk, ME 04043, www.bibberfuneral.com.
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