Benjamin R. Chase, 83, U.S. Army Veteran, Former AT&T Employee

Benjamin R. Chase, 83, formerly of Haverhill and Hampstead, N.H., passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Fish Memorial Hospital in Orange City, Fla.

Born in Haverhill on July 26, 1934, Chase was the son of the late Benjamin L. and Flora F. (Greenwood) Chase.

He was educated at Haverhill High School, and joined the U.S. Army in 1957 to serve his country. He was honorably discharged with the rank of PFC (T). Chase then joined the former AT&T where he worked 24 years before retiring as manager of the Deionization Water Department in 1987. He was a Master Mason in Haverhill and a 50+ year member of Saggehew Lodge A.F. & A.M.

Chase was a hardworking, loving and devoted family man. His time was spent with his family enjoying the simple pleasures of camping at Newfound Lake, and boat rides along the Merrimack River. He also enjoyed gardening, and family and friends would acknowledge he made the best chili. He lived his life as an example of honesty and integrity and left those life lessons that will be remembered and cherished by those he loved. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends and he will live on in their hearts.

He was the loving husband of Doris J. “Dottie” (Bedard) (Bonnell) Chase, to whom he was married for 48 years. Chase is survived by his daughter Jennifer Alexander and her husband Jeffrey of Houston, Texas and sons Benjamin and Bobby Chase. He is also survived by his stepchildren Mark Bonnell and his wife Janet of Gilford, N.H., Wendy Bundzinski and her husband Ron of Sandown, N.H. and Gary Bonnell of Haverhill, as well as five grandchildren, Nicholas and Justin Bundzinski, Austin, Joey and Angela Bonnell, brother San Chase and his wife Mary of Port Orange, Fla. He was the brother of the late Evelyn Eldridge, Nancy Chase and grandfather to the late Joshua Bonnell.

Relatives and friends are invited to join in a Celebration of Life on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main St., Haverhill. The family will hold a private ceremony at Walnut Cemetery.