Robert F. Chamberland

Robert F. Chamberland, loving husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, passed away on October 7, 2021 with his wife at his side, a little more than 2 hours short of his 78th birthday, at NMMC from complications of COVID 19.  He was born the youngest son of Olivier and Maria (Bosse) Chamberland on October 8, 1943. He married Viola Lavertu on September 5, 1964 and together they raised 5 children. 

He went to school in St. Agatha and graduated in 1961. He then went on to higher education in Moncton for less than 1 year.  He started working at a young age for local farmers.  He worked at Fraser Papers (Twin Rivers Company) for 12 years and then went on to try his “luck” in the trucking industry in the early 1970s.  With the support of his wife, his dream became a reality.  He built a premier company originally known as RF Chamberland Potato Corp, now known as RF Chamberland Inc.  Many will remember him as the the “Gingerbread Man”.  Following his retirement, his 2 sons took over his company and it is currently being run by Mark and Dale and their families.

In his younger years, his passion was riding his motorcycle, and with his wife, they were fortunate to travel to many areas throughout the US and Canada.  He did the 4 corners of the US on motorcycle twice.  In addition, he was able to travel to all the US states, with the exception of Hawaii. One of his bucket list items was to go through the Locks of the Panama Canal, which he was able to do via a cruise with 21 members of his family in 2016.  He enjoyed other activities such as fishing and golfing.  He looked forward to spending his winters in Florida and did so for over 20 years.  In his most recent years, he enjoyed playing cards (Charlemagne) with his friends, reading the newspaper and keeping up to date on the daily news, and going to his daily morning coffee.  His weekly “Happy Hour” with family gave him a chance to catch up on their weekly activities and on the RFC business.  He was a faithful member of his Catholic Church.  He was very proud of his family and made sure to let us know, even in his final hours.  We have many wonderful memories of him through the years that we will cherish forever. 

He was proud to volunteer his time to several community organizations.  He was a volunteer Fire Fighter with the St. Agatha Fire Department for 45 years, a 3rd degree Knights of Columbus, and also served on the NMMC Board of Directors, the St. Agatha Federal Credit Union and was a Selectman for the town of St Agatha for 12 years. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Viola, his children and their families: daughter Cindy and her husband Roland Paradis and their sons Lucas and Lance, son Dale and his wife Ellen Cousins and their sons Robbie, Kevin, Matt and Josh, daughter Shelly and her husband Kurt Coulombe and their children Nicole and husband Burke Perreault, Daniel and Colby, daughter Kelly and her husband Scott Ross and their son Logan and his wife Jessica Osbourne, son Mark and his wife Nicole Gendreau and their children Nathan, Kyle and Emma.  He is also survived by his sister Marie Claire Cormier from Connecticut and well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Jean Paul (Bertille), Joel (Marie Mae), Roch and sisters Geralda, Bernadette (Sam), Jacqueline (Jim), and Rachel (Norman), and brother in law Roderick Cormier. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the St. Agatha Catholic Church, Wednesday October 13 at 10:00am.  Burial will be at the St. Agatha Lower Cemetery in St. Agatha.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Our Lady of the Valley Parish (St. Agatha) or to a charity of your choice. 

Condolences may be sent to www.michaudfuneralhomes.com

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