Frederick John Chaffee's Obituary
Frederick J. Chaffee Obituary
Frederick J. Chaffee of Tucson, Arizona, passed away Monday morning, October 27, 2025, at the age of 85. A native of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, he was the eldest son of Mary and Frederick J. Chaffee, Jr. Fred graduated from high school at St. John’s Prep in Worcester, Massachusetts before completing his undergraduate degree at Assumption College, and obtaining Master’s degrees from Niagara University and Columbia University. Fred was a visionary and true scholar, whose lifelong passion for learning and serving others began with his time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, which later led to social work service in Vietnam in the late 1960s. Fred returned to the United States with his wife and adopted son in 1973 to begin his career as an administrator and director for children and family service organizations. Fred worked for Hillside Children’s Center in Rochester, New York, for nearly 20 years before becoming the Executive Director for the Arizona Children’s Home Association for over 25 years overseeing its expansion in child welfare across the State of Arizona. Fred was a beacon of kindness, generosity, grace, and care. Fred had many passions, including the Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics, golf, running, travel, photography, and his grandson, Jarod. Fred is predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Martha Chaffee, who was born and raised in Rochester, New York; and younger brother Francis Chaffee. Fred is survived by his son Brian F. Chaffee and daughter-in-law Sonia Adorno-Chaffee; his grandson Jarod F. Chaffee and his mother Cynthia Sabin; and his many nieces and nephews.
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