NEW LONDON, NH — Chandler was born and passed in Newport, NH. Chan grew up on the family farm at the base of Mt. Sunapee in Newbury, NH. His parents, Martin and Elsie Perkins owned and operated the Perkins General Store and Post Office in a building which still exists near the Mt. Sunapee Traffic Circle. One of Chan’s jobs as a child was to meet the daily trains to pick up the mail. If there were no passengers to board or get off at the station the train would just slow down enough to grab or leave a mail bag on a large hook near the store. If the train was delayed by deep snow in the Newbury Cut it could be a long wait.

Chan attended Towle High School in Newport where he was a football and baseball star. Slugger Perkins led the teams to numerous victories. In 1953 Chan graduated from UNH with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Chan was also an avid skier and met his wife of 62 years, Debra Lamson, by chance while both were skiing at Mt. Sunapee. A courtship ensued and Chan and Debbie were married in New London in 1957. Debbie’s parents, Seth and Millie Lamson, owned the New London Agency, a firm founded in 1907 – which offered Real Estate and Insurance services throughout the Lake Sunapee Region. Chan joined the firm and became the owner upon Seth and Millie’s retirement.

Chan is survived by his wife, Debbie; children Pam Perkins & her husband Bo Quackenbos, Jeffrey Perkins, Stephanie Perkins Wheeler & her husband, Jim Wheeler & Todd Perkins all of New London. Chan & Debbie were also blessed with 4 grandchildren, Michelle Ward, Ashley Perkins, Jackson Wheeler and Bretton Perkins.

Over the course of his career, Chan served many local and civic groups. He was Deputy Town Treasurer, a Director of New London Trust and its Trust Department, Director of the NL Service Organization, Director and Secretary of Kearsarge Cable Communications, Board member of King Ridge, ski instructor at Mt. Sunapee, New London Outing Club Treasurer, also he was one of the founding Directors of the Pleasant Lake Protective Association, and a Member of St. Peter’s Lodge #31 & AM Masons. Chan served in the US Army Infantry from 1953 to 1955. In 2019 Chan and Debra became the 57th recipients of the New London Service Origination’s Third-of-a-Century Award.

Chan enjoyed radio controlled planes and was a longtime member of the Concord Aeronautical Guidance Club. After enduring a year-long learning curve with a fair number of crashes Chan became a sought after coach on “how to keep your plane aloft.” Chan also enjoyed golfing especially on his “home course”, the challenging Executive Links of Twin Lake Villa, where he would eventually score a total of four holes-in-one! He often commented his ball retriever needed re-gripping, about every year, as Kidder Brook is a tenacious serpentine ball magnet.

Chan and Debbie had numerous fun adventures with many lifelong friends, sharing their appreciation of antique vehicles. Chan learned to drive on the Perkins Store delivery truck, a 1939 Ford V8 Flathead. As it turned out, several years ago, it was the last vehicle he ever drove. They enjoyed ice boating, snow shoeing, skiing downhill & cross country. Along the way some snowmobiling adventures were more harrowing than others. In all seasons, their love of beautiful Pleasant Lake, family & their adorable corgi, Tucker brought the most joy. When weather cooperated you could count on Chan, Debbie & Tucker enjoying a nightly cruise – always clockwise!

Chan is deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

If you wish to make a memorial gift, please consider The Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice, PO Box 2209, New London, NH 03257 or The New London Historical Society, PO Box 965, New London, NH 03257.

A celebration of Chan’s life will be held on Friday, December 27th from 4 – 6 PM at the Lake Sunapee Country Club, 344 Andover Road, New London, NH.