Millard Wright Chamberlain

 CROGHAN, NY ~ A Graveside Committal Service with military honors for Millard Wright Chamberlain, 88, formerly of Croghan, who died on December 3, 2019 in New Mexico, will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Croghan, with the Rev. Donald J. Manfred, officiating. 

Born on February 10, 1931 in Watertown, NY, Millard grew up playing trombone in the Watertown and the Copenhagen high schools. His love of music led him to the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam where he graduated with a music teaching degree in 1953. Millard spent 2 years in the Army at Fort Benning, GA where he played in the 493rd Army Band. He continued to serve in the Army reserves for another 8 years until his Honorable Discharge in 1961. Millard moved to Wells, NY to teach music after his time in the military. While there, he met Pat Giblin and the pair married in 1962.  In 1974, Millard took a job as the music director at Lowville Academy and the family moved to Croghan, NY. While there, Millard developed a thriving music program consisting of Concert and Parade Bands and Jazz Ensemble. He taught many children the fine art of music and jazz improvisation during his time at Lowville academy and was loved by his students. Millard later became the director of the Lowville Village Band, and infused the group with a combination of his high school students and local musicians.  He organized concerts every Wednesday evening in the summers and the band was so well regarded it was invited to play at many events around the region.  The Lowville Village Band continues to play in the summers at the bandstand which bears his name. Millard was also a longtime member of the Frank Sacci Big Band, playing trombone with the group around the North Country. 

Millard had an avid love of golf, playing whenever and wherever he could, and he and Pat were league regulars. The couple’s Christmas Eve parties were a favorite gathering time for family and friends.

In retirement, Millard tuned pianos, made children’s toys in his woodshop, continued to play music and golf, and traveled often to see his grandchildren. He and Pat enjoyed friends and family in the Croghan area, spending time at their cabin at Effley Pond.

Millard and Pat moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2017. 

Millard is survived by his sons Matt (Jeanette), Jeff (Melissa), daughter Jennifer, French son Fabrice, and four grandchildren (Hanna, Caelen, William and Andrew). 

He is predeceased by his wife Pat, who died January 5, 2019.

Remembrances may be made at www.scanlonfuneral.com or by sending a card directly to Jennifer Chamberlain at:

6453 Brenton Drive NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120

Local arrangements are under the care of Scanlon Funeral Home, Croghan.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Millard Wright Chamberlain, please visit our floral store.