Wanton G. Chase

Mr. Wanton G. “Jagger” Chase, age 99, of 600 Valley Road, Middletown, died Tuesday, December 09, 2008 at the Newport Hospital. He was the husband of the late Caroline (Lewis) Chase. Born in Newport in 1909, he was a son of the late Stephen W. and Mabel (Curtis) Chase. For eight years he lived at the Rose Island Lighthouse until 1918 with his maternal grandparents, Christina and Charles Curtis, while they were keepers. He was a planner, estimator and toolmaker for NUSC in Middletown for 38 years, retiring in 1959. He had previously worked at the US Naval Torpedo Station on Goat Island. He was a resident of Newport for most of his life. He wintered for many years in Jensen Beach, FL with his daughter, Mary. In 2001 the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation published his stories of boyhood life at Rose Island. He was a member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Middletown. He was an avid fisherman, tennis and ice hockey player. He is survived by a daughter, Mary Curtis Chase of Portsmouth, a son, Robert L. Chase of Old Saybrook, CT, five grandchildren; Cynthia A. Shugart and her husband Tom, Robert A. Edward and his wife Meg, Lynne K. Lowell and her husband Justin, Brad E. Chase and his wife, Sherry, Douglas P. Chase, eleven great grandchildren; Brian T. Brugman, Lainey C. Minotti, Carley L. Shugart, Thomas M. Shugart, Brenna R. Edward, Cameron J.R. Edward, Liam W.C. Edward, Eliza Lowell, Evan, Collin and Eve Chase. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Norman C. Chase and two sisters, Christina M. Perotta and Mabel C. Moran. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service, Friday, December 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM in St. Marys Episcopal Cemetery, East Main Road, Portsmouth. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of RI, in memory of Caroline L. Chase, 169 George St., Pawtucket, RI 02860 or to the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 1419, Newport, RI 02840. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Sansone Funeral Home, Bristol.

Service Information Cemetery St. Mary's Episcopal Cemetery East Main Road Portsmouth, RI -->