Thomas Arthur Chandler

Thomas A. Chandler, 82, of Walpole, MA and Mount Desert, ME passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026 with his loving wife of 20 years, Sarah, by his side. Son of the late Alcide and Catherine Houlihan Chandler, Tom grew up in Mansfield, MA. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Whiting Chandler; his son, Adam Chandler, his wife, Mona, and their children, Maxwell, Violet, and Renton; his son, Jason Chandler, and his children, Johnny and Cora; his step-son, Matthew Deveau, and his wife, Jennifer, and their children, Evelyn, Ethan, and Emmitt; his step-son, Justin Deveau, and his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Jackson and Leah; and his step-son, Greg Deveau, and his wife, Cassie, and their son, Conor. He also leaves behind his sister Patricia O’Malley and her husband Rick as well as several beloved nieces. Tom was pre-deceased by his siblings, Alfred Chandler, John Chandler, Eleanor Hoogerveil, and Catherine Washburn; and his former wives, Claire Murray Chandler and Sandra Kline Chandler.

A graduate of Mass College of Art, Tom was a talented and highly motivated artist. He got his start in Boston advertising firms after college as an Illustrator and then Art Director prior to establishing his own advertising agency, Hurley, Chandler, and Chaffer, in Providence in 1987. Art was a way of life for Tom and, after retiring from advertising in 2009, he expressed his creativity and love of good design through watercolor painting, furniture making, and many beautiful projects for his garden and home. In retirement Tom and Sarah spent long stretches at their Mount Desert home where they enjoyed nature, hiking, kayaking, watercolor painting on the shore, and gatherings with family and friends.

Tom’s college introduction to the banjo ignited his lifelong passion for bluegrass music. Over the years he played in various bands and, other than being with his grandkids, he was at his happiest during weekly jam sessions and at bluegrass festivals. He formed loyal friendships with other pickers, many of whom later visited and played for him during his time in memory care.

Tom will be remembered for his kindness, empathy, and infectious laugh that made his eyes crinkly and his eyebrows move up and down. In addition to his wonderful sense of humor, he possessed the rare quality of always having time to listen to others. To know him was to love him.

A celebration of life will be held on August 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM at South Walpole United Methodist Church, 1886 Washington St., Walpole, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the memory of Tom Chandler in support of the Frontotemporal Disorders Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital. Donations may be made online at https://ftdboston.org/donate/ or donations may be mailed to Mass. Genl. Hosp. Devel. Office, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114 Attention: Michael Johnson; checks payable to Massachusetts General Hospital, Memo: FTD Unit – In Memory of Tom Chandler.

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.