Obituary for David Michael Chandler
CHANDLER, DAVID MICHAEL – passed peacefully on Sunday, March 22, 2020 in Weymouth, MA after a courageous battle with colon cancer. David was born on September 24, 1959 in Panama City, Florida to David Leon Chandler and Audrey Marie Donovan. He spent his formative years in Boston and Rockland and at times was also a resident of Dorchester, Beacon Hill, South Boston, Wollaston and Weymouth Landing. He attended the Rockland school systems and was a 1977 graduate of Rockland High School. He also attended the University of Dallas, UMASS Amherst and UMASS Boston.
His career was spent with the United States Postal Service from 1979-2009. He was a member of the Boston Local American Postal Workers Union and on the Executive Board, Boston APWU, for more than 15 years. His union office duties included shop steward, Director of Human Relations, Director of Mechanical Distribution, Vice President South and arbitration advocate. He worked for USPS in Boston and Braintree and was a union delegate at many conventions and conferences. He successfully presented hundreds of arbitration cases including those of national importance.
His hobbies included writing, wildlife, photography (especially of hawks and other birds of prey), antiquing with his friend, Ann, APBA baseball and old films. As the son of a Pulitzer Prize winning writer, David had writing in his blood and in 2008 published his well-received book – Legends of the African Frontier (Safari Press 2008) which is still in print. He also authored many trade union press and magazine articles.
David was an extremely intelligent human being, though humble about his abilities. It was though he had an encyclopedia in his brain especially when it came to war history and government. He would be embarrassed for us to say he was always the smartest person in the room, but in reality he was. His family will miss his guidance and sense of humor and will forever remember the care he took of our beloved mother in her later years. We also express gratitude to those who visited and called during his illness – especially his friend Phil.
David was predeceased by his mother and father, his older brother, Clayton James Chandler, his stepfather, John J. Mahoney, Jr., and his best friends Scott and Jennie. He is survived by his sister, Diane (Mahoney) Maguire and her husband David, his brothers, John J. Mahoney, III and William A. Mahoney, his sister-in-law Melissa (Logston) Mahoney, his much loved niece, Deirdra (Mahoney) Perry and her husband, Nicholas. His friends and nephews Ian Donovan Maguire and Brendan Barry Maguire, his great nephew William James Perry and great niece whose namesake was that of his cherished mother, Audrey Renee Perry. His aunt, Diane Cook (retired post master Bryant Rock) and of final – but of just as great importance – he is survived by his companion and housemate, his cat, Miss Kitty.
David’s remains will be laid to rest in the spring in the family gravesite in Vine Hills Cemetery, Plymouth, MA alongside his mother, brother and step-father. Please feel to visit over the summer.
If desired, a donation may be made to Massachusetts Audubon Society 208 South Great Road Lincoln, MA 01773.
Of final note, David’s later in life passion in searching the skies for hawks, led to wonderful walks and pictures. If you want to truly find him, look up.
His career was spent with the United States Postal Service from 1979-2009. He was a member of the Boston Local American Postal Workers Union and on the Executive Board, Boston APWU, for more than 15 years. His union office duties included shop steward, Director of Human Relations, Director of Mechanical Distribution, Vice President South and arbitration advocate. He worked for USPS in Boston and Braintree and was a union delegate at many conventions and conferences. He successfully presented hundreds of arbitration cases including those of national importance.
His hobbies included writing, wildlife, photography (especially of hawks and other birds of prey), antiquing with his friend, Ann, APBA baseball and old films. As the son of a Pulitzer Prize winning writer, David had writing in his blood and in 2008 published his well-received book – Legends of the African Frontier (Safari Press 2008) which is still in print. He also authored many trade union press and magazine articles.
David was an extremely intelligent human being, though humble about his abilities. It was though he had an encyclopedia in his brain especially when it came to war history and government. He would be embarrassed for us to say he was always the smartest person in the room, but in reality he was. His family will miss his guidance and sense of humor and will forever remember the care he took of our beloved mother in her later years. We also express gratitude to those who visited and called during his illness – especially his friend Phil.
David was predeceased by his mother and father, his older brother, Clayton James Chandler, his stepfather, John J. Mahoney, Jr., and his best friends Scott and Jennie. He is survived by his sister, Diane (Mahoney) Maguire and her husband David, his brothers, John J. Mahoney, III and William A. Mahoney, his sister-in-law Melissa (Logston) Mahoney, his much loved niece, Deirdra (Mahoney) Perry and her husband, Nicholas. His friends and nephews Ian Donovan Maguire and Brendan Barry Maguire, his great nephew William James Perry and great niece whose namesake was that of his cherished mother, Audrey Renee Perry. His aunt, Diane Cook (retired post master Bryant Rock) and of final – but of just as great importance – he is survived by his companion and housemate, his cat, Miss Kitty.
David’s remains will be laid to rest in the spring in the family gravesite in Vine Hills Cemetery, Plymouth, MA alongside his mother, brother and step-father. Please feel to visit over the summer.
If desired, a donation may be made to Massachusetts Audubon Society 208 South Great Road Lincoln, MA 01773.
Of final note, David’s later in life passion in searching the skies for hawks, led to wonderful walks and pictures. If you want to truly find him, look up.