CARTER GWARE CHAFFEE
NEWFIELD, NY - Carter Gware Chaffee, 57, of Newfield, NY, died early Saturday morning, April 22, 2006, of an attack to his heart, a heart that was filled with life, passion and joy. He was born February 22, 1949 in Bismarck, ND, son of the Reverend Rosemary Chaffee of Haslett, MI, and the late Dr. William Chaffee. He graduated from Okemos High School, Okemos, MI, in 1967. He lived a colorful life, stretching from Haight-Ashbury to Alaska to Washington, DC. He left his home in Amenia, ND to move to Ithaca in 1980. In 1993 he married Amy Doyle of Groton, NY. Many friends and neighbors will remember the Halloween House that Carter delighted in decorating, creating a different theme every year.
Carter worked faithfully as a chef at Banfi's Kitchen at the Statler Hotel, Cornell University's Restaurant and Hotel Management School (in Ithaca, NY). He began his career at Cornell with Campus Life in 1980, and started working at the Statler in 1989. Working in the hospitality industry, Carter was known as a man of service, especially to his co-workers. In the kitchen, no matter the issue, Carter was the one that people turned to for help. He was also a big fan and supporter of Cornell Hockey, and season ticket holder for the last 20 years.He carried a strong sense of justice and fairness, and was instrumental in furthering the local unions' activities to obtain improved wages, benefits and working conditions for local employees. His involvement began in 1983 with the Cornell local UAW, and since then Carter's persistence has been key in negotiating contracts for Cornell employees. He has held several offices, including serving as Vice President from 1997-2000, and was also a Local 2300 Zone Rep and Steward. Since 2004 he has been the editor of "Bear Facts," the local union newspaper, which has won national awards. He served as cook for the annual UAW Labor Day picnic for numerous years, and was currently serving on the committee planning for the 25th UAW Local celebration in October.Carter avidly pursued collecting and recording Chaffee family history, completing and publishing the family genealogy collections, which date back to Charlemagne. Most recently he began to consolidate genealogies related to his grandmother, Gertrude Bacon, of Pasadena, CA. He maintained contact with 3rd, 4th and 5th generation cousins and provided documents and testimony in a recent court case which preserved family property with a 250-year history. His vision was always that the generations to come should know their past.Carter had an intense love for all kinds of music, especially classic rock. He played bass viol and percussion in high school, and taught himself guitar and piano as an adult. He also wrote and composed music.Carter was a vibrant, charismatic, and sensitive character and he will be fondly remembered for his sense of humor. Everyone who knew him, knew he could be contentious and passionate when working for a cause. He is missed sadly, survived by his beloved wife Amy of 15 years; and stepson, Terry Jones; two daughters, Amanda Terwilliger and Angela Chaffee, both of Vermont. He is also survived by his mother and three sisters, Carolyn Good of Vermont, Catherine Collins, G. Anne Saunders; and one brother, Robert Chaffee, all of Michigan; as well as many nieces and nephews.Calling hours will be held on Friday evening from 6-9 p.m. at Bangs Funeral Home in Ithaca. Memorial Services to celebrate Carter's life will be held Saturday, April 29, at 10:00 a.m. at the Statler Hotel with a luncheon reception to follow. Burial will take place at a later date in Amenia, ND.
Instead of floral arrangements, the family requests that donations be made to "Loaves and Fishes" at St. John's Episcopal Church, 210 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca.
Laurel Winkel (1968)
Came across this photo Carter had sent me a year or two before he died, taken while attending an event at the university.
Julie Gloden (1967)
Carter was a dear and treasured friend in high school and after as well. I credit Carter with exposing me to the Grande Ballroom in Detroit. My first visit there was with Carter. The MC5 opened for Cream - Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. That experience opened a whole new world for me. I have many fond memories of adventures with Carter. Rest in Pear, my friend.