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John G. Chambers of Needham, died on Friday December 25, 2009 at Milford Regional Medical Center, after spending a wonderful day with his family. Son of the late John and Mary Chambers, and youngest of their six children (deceased siblings; Ralph Chambers, Ray Chambers, Amelia Lambert, Marian Johnson, and Bernadette Downing) he was born in Needham on July 9, 1917. He was a graduate of Needham High School, and Boston University where he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees.
He then enlisted in the United States Coast Guard where he served his country proudly from 1942-1945 during World War II.
Graduating from Needham High School in 1935, he played three years of hockey, football and baseball. He was a quarterback for the football team, first baseman for the baseball team and he was the captain and high scorer on the hockey team and was an all scholastic pick. He then went on to Boston University where he was a starting forward for three years for the hockey team and played three years as a second baseman for the baseball team.
During John’s senior year at BU his team won the New England Title and he led the club in scoring and was selected to the NE All-Star team. While enlisted in the military he would continue to chase the puck for many different teams in the Eastern League as well as for the Coast Guard itself. After four years in the Coast Guard with many honors he moved to Gorham, NH. Here he coached High School basketball, hockey and baseball all the while playing hockey for the Berlin Maroons who won the national title in 1954. It was now time to come home to Needham.
Upon his return to his beloved Needham he was a High School Math teacher and started as the Junior Varsity hockey coach. He took over as the Head coach for NHS in 1961 where he would stay until his retirement in 1977. During his sixteen year run as “Coach” he racked up quite a resume including three state championships and six Bay State League Championships. He has been inducted into the Massachusetts Coaches Hall of Fame, and the 2001 Hall of Fame for Volunteers in the Grass Roots Category for his work with Needham Youth Hockey. In 1995 he received the Mariucci Coaching Award which is given to the Coach who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication, and enthusiasm of the “God Father of Hockey”John Mariucci (only two other coaches in Massachusetts have received this honor.) “JC” will also be remembered as a fine tennis coach for the Rockets where his team won four Bay State titles, and a state and New England title during 1958 to 1964. At one stretch his club won 54 straight matches. He continued as a teaching Tennis Pro for many years there after.
Retirement did not slow him down. John continued to be “Coach” for many generations of youth and HS players to come. One particular student was his grandson, Jamie O’Leary who he coached and taught the love and respect of the game and who eventually went on to play hockey at St. Sebastian’s and Boston College and now is following in his footsteps as Head Coach for the Walpole Rebels. JC also continued his love of the game by playing in many leagues and tournaments throughout the years. He traveled many years to California to play in the Snoopy Classic tournament in the 75 and up age category. Sadly, in 2006 it was time to hang the skates up for good. Also to be remembered are his former teammates from Lewiston, ME, the Mayflower League (The Boston Skating Club), Framingham Pics, Rusty Blades (Central MA), Quincy Seniors, and his many friends from the Needham Teachers' Lunch Group. A special thanks to the staff at Whitcomb House in Milford. He probably already has his skates laced up with Mrs. JC cheering him on.
There are many names and titles that John Chambers will be remembered by: Coach, Johnny, JC to name a few. But some of the names he was most proud of were Husband, Dad, Gampy, and GG (great Gampy). His late wife Dorothea, was his High School sweetheart, passed away in October 1997. He is survived by his three children, Susan O‘Leary, Jack Chambers, and Gary Chambers, their spouses, Jim O’Leary and Debbie Chambers. He has four grandchildren, Dani Sammut, Kerri Kober, Jamie O’Leary and Chris Chambers. He also has eight great grandchildren, Jake, Morgan, Payton, Ryle, Kelty, Braeden, Samantha, and Charlie.
Funeral from the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave Needham on Wednesday, December 30 at 9:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Joseph Church at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours on Tuesday from 4-7 PM. Interment services with Military Honors will take place at Needham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Johnny’s name may be made to Needham Youth Hockey, Att: Jeanette Duvall PO Box 920828 Needham MA 02492
