Edward L. Chamberlain, avid photographer
Edward L. Chamberlain, 74, formerly of Middlebury, Conn., passed away Thursday, April 28, 2022, at his home in Lewes. He was the loving husband of Deborah (Clark) Chamberlain, and the proud father of Amanda (Chamberlain) Bernard.
Born Jan. 11, 1948, in Waterbury, Conn., he was the loving and well-loved son of Howard and Marjorie Chamberlain.
Ed was a graduate of Wilby High School, Class of 1966, and Southern Connecticut State University, Class of 2006, where he earned a degree in history.
Ed was an Army veteran who served in Vietnam for nearly two years as a specialist, primarily repairing communication equipment. A fitting specialty because for his whole life he would talk to anyone for as long as they were willing to talk.
When he returned from his military service, Ed began work on his degree at SCSU, and spun records for the campus radio station. He ended every broadcast with Carole King singing, 'You've Got A Friend.' Later he worked for WWCO as a disc jockey, where he would dedicate songs to his loved ones to make their days more joyful.
In 1988, Ed bought Tech Services of Connecticut, which provided stage lighting for a wide variety of events including presidential visits for every administration from Reagan to Obama, arts festivals, plays, musicals, special events, rock concerts, and an absurd number of productions of “The Nutcracker.” Ed served as a trusted mentor to the young people that he hired; not so much for the work they could provide but for the job experience he could give them as they entered adulthood.
After 17 years he sold the business, finished his degree, and began a second career at Crosby High School in Waterbury. He began as a long-term substitute, and went on to teach STEM electives in electronics and computer technology. He was the founding coach of the robotics team, and a proud and dedicated teacher to his students.
He was an active member of his parish at All Saints' Episcopal Church (now All Saints' with Christ Church) in Oakville, Conn. Ed was a member of the vestry, and you could regularly find him in the kitchen helping cook fellowship and fundraising meals, setting up the parish hall for gatherings, or making sure the sound system was working in time for worship services. It will come as no surprise, though, that Ed's greatest service to his church community was his work in youth ministry. He served as a youth group advisor, as well as an adult advisor for youth ministry within his parish, the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, Province I, and at several national events.
In 2014, the Chamberlains retired to Delaware, where Ed would eventually reprise his role as youth ministries coordinator within his parish of St. Peter's in Lewes, and was active in the Diocese of Delaware and Province III youth ministry. He was called to help youth feel heard, safe and empowered in all of the most important work of his life.
Ed enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states, mostly by car with his lifelong friend, Larry Wagner. They were still teenagers when they made their first road trip, a spontaneous visit to D.C. to see the Washington Monument lit up at night. They circled the monument three times, and immediately drove the six hours back home to Waterbury.
Numerous other road trips followed. The duo photographed geysers at Yellowstone National Park, toured an Air Force museum in Montana, ate ice cream in Seattle, drove a convertible along the Florida shoreline, and explored Civil War battlefields around the country.
After the move to Delaware, he became an avid photographer. Amid thousands of photos of sunrises and sunsets, birds who seemed to pose for him, and landscapes he declared interesting, you can find hundreds of joyful moments from people he happened upon. Dancers doing photoshoots, kids playing, first dates, marriage proposals, and people seeing the ocean for the first time all appear in his archives.
Friends will remember him for his generosity of spirit, his curiosity about other people’s lives, his willingness to give young people a chance to grow, his ability to see the good in others, and his hearty, unrestrained laugh.
Ed was predeceased by his parents and by his sisters, Jane White and Marjorie Mosteller.
Ed leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Deborah Chamberlain; and his daughter, Amanda Bernard, who amply fulfilled his one wish for her, that she turned out smart. He also leaves his sister, Martha Chamberlain and her wife Linda Osborne of Pinellas Park, Fla.; son-in-law Adam Bernard of Waterbury, Conn.; nieces, Catherine Brinkley of Meriden, Conn., Susan Auger of San Jose, Calif., Sarah Stauff of Pinellas Park, Fla., and Emily Stauff of Nashua, N.H.; nephew, Kenneth Chrzanowski of Enfield, Conn.; many great-nieces and -nephews, and a host of chosen family.
Memorial services for Ed will be taking place in both Lewes and in Oakville, Conn. On Saturday, May 14, at 2:30 p.m., at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 200 2nd St., Lewes, and Saturday, May 21, at 11 a.m., at All Saints' with Christ Episcopal Church, 262 Main St., Oakville.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the youth programs of either St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, or All Saints’ with Christ Episcopal Church at the addresses noted above will honor the work he loved best; caring for the needs of children.
Final care has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Visit Ed's Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
