Edward S. Chapman Jr.

Edward S. Chapman, 81, died November 2, 2025, following a life filled with an excellent family, fine friends, and many adventures.

Born March 23, 1944, in Winchester, Massachusetts, he was the son of Edward S. and Mary Catherine (Longfield) Chapman. He was the 25-year husband of Anne Marie Van Duzor of Fitchburg, formerly of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

A 1962 graduate of Hudson High School in Massachusetts, Ed later attended Emerson College in Boston, where he studied radio and television broadcasting. While in high school, he was a four-year class officer—serving twice as president—and a four-year member of the Student Council, serving as president his senior year. He was also co-captain of the football team, named as a lineman to four all-star teams, and selected as Most Valuable Defensive Player his senior year. During that vibrant chapter of his youth, Ed played guitar with his band, The Drifters Four, who performed at Friday night dances at the Hudson Town Hall and regularly drew crowds of more than 400 people.

Early in his career, Ed worked three years at radio and TV station WBZ in Boston as a record librarian and music programmer. He also worked for WHIL in Medford in the same capacity.

During the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and served for 29 years, retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 4 and Reserve Commanding Officer of Station Gloucester in Massachusetts—a 30-member search and rescue port security unit. He also served aboard the USCGC McCulloch out of Boston.

Ed began his 40-year journalism career as editor of the Hudson Daily Sun and assistant editor of the Marlboro Enterprise. He went on to work ten years in various editing capacities at the Eagle-Tribune in Lawrence, Massachusetts, eventually becoming editor of the Sunday Eagle-Tribune. Later, he spent 20 years at the Union Leader in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he served as Family News Editor and regional news and wire editor. After moving to Wisconsin in 2005, he worked part-time at the Wisconsin State Journal as a copy editor.

A gifted writer, Ed also contributed articles to Glamour and Yankee magazines, as well as several business publications. A 1994 kidney transplant recipient, he was active with the New Hampshire branch of the National Kidney Foundation and frequently spoke to civic and medical groups and to organ donor families about his experience and the life-saving value of organ donation. He proudly represented the transplant community by participating in cycling races at the International Transplant Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ed loved sailing his boat along the New England coast, cycling, playing tennis and piano, and writing. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he cheered passionately for the New England Patriots and his beloved Milwaukee Brewers. Above all, his family was at the heart of everything he did. He was a devoted husband, son, brother, loving father, stepfather, father-in-law, and doting grandfather. His quick wit, warm smile, and unmistakable sparkle of joy brightened every family gathering.

Along with his wife, Anne Marie, Ed is survived by two daughters, Christine and son-in-law James Manclark of Amesbury, Massachusetts; and Sara Chapman and Dave Watts of Salisbury, Massachusetts; one brother, Henry “Monty” Chapman and wife Roberta of Framingham, Massachusetts; and two grandchildren, Hannah and Ethan Manclark of Amesbury. His survivors also include a stepdaughter and son-in-law, Denise and Mike Grode of Middleton, Wisconsin; and two grandsons, Garrett and Matthew Garcia, also of Middleton.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Catherine; father, Edward; brother, Jeffrey Chapman; and son-in-law, Astor Garcia of Middleton.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Chapel in Madison, Wisconsin. A private celebration of Ed’s life will be held in Massachusetts.

Please share your memories of Ed by posting in his guestbook.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434