Michael Raymond Chamis

Michael Raymond Chamis was recently welcomed and embraced by his mother, Joyce, to his new home on November 13, 2020.  Michael, a lifetime resident of East Hampton CT, was born on September 2, 1949 to the late Raymond and Joyce Chamis. 

   Mike was a graduate of East Hampton High School, class of 1967, and attended Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA with a major in electrical engineering.  Humorously, he ended his college journey by successfully burning his dorm room down which was a story he often loved to share with his grandchildren, family, and friends. 

   Mike enlisted in the US Army from 1969-1972 and received an honorable discharge.  He was a SP-5 Specialist in Secret Operations, with the 138th Aviation company, and worked on radio electronics.  Subsequently, Mike participated in the Army Reserve from 1972-1975.

   Mike retired from Northeast Utilities in 2014 with 21 years of service as a Substation Electrical Designer.  He also provided contract work as an electrical engineer for Yale and Yankee Gas.  He was fortunate to be a part of decommissioning the Connecticut Yankee Nuclear Power Plant where he got “glowing” reviews for his work.

   Mike was a proud life member of the Fowler-Dix-Park Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5095, where he was elected as Post Commander and District Commander.  He was also a candidate for State Department Commander.  He took great pride in supporting his fellow comrades and the Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars. His mother, sister, daughter, and niece have also been active members of the VFW.  Mike will be remembered for making his famous clam chowder for the annual Lobster Fest.

   In his younger years, Michael loved to ski, ice skate, swim in the lake, play baseball, and archery.  He was a dutiful Boy Scout yet possessed quite an entertaining rebellious streak.  He loved demolition derby whether it was with a bicycle, go-cart, or his father’s VW bug.  In high school he played the trumpet in the band and continued to play periodically through the years.  As a gift, his mom secretly brought his trumpet to be serviced as a birthday gift and to her surprise found a hidden treasure inside the bell, his “stash.”  - another story we would giggle and reminisce over on more than one occasion.  As he matured, Mike loved to travel, was a master in various crafts such as tin punching, theorem painting, and stenciling.  He established his business, Journeyman Stencil, where he created beautiful stencil art on walls and furniture.  Additionally, Mike worked on furniture making and carpentry around the home. He enjoyed maintaining the outdoors in a unique style. Mike was an avid set-back player and loved playing cribbage with his father Ray.  As an adult, he loved fast and sporty cars, most recently his Monte Carlo SS, golfing outdoors and online, playing pool, shooting darts and jamming to the 70's rock bands with his friends in the Old Skinner Street basement.  He loved TV and old movies just as his dad and always had his TV remote at his side. Mike loved to cook and is fondly remembered for his clam chowder, pudding, his love of pasta and Jaime's favorites, Chicken Cordon Blue, and Fettuccine Alfredo.  He had wonderful memories of the Chamis family home on Ridge Road in Middletown.  Mike was always extremely generous with family and friends. He loved to tell corny jokes and share his numerous shenanigans for the laughter it would bring others.  

Mike shared an amazing and extraordinary bond with his siblings Laurie and Doug that still remains.  They were very close growing up and spent countless hours playing outside together assuring the same spirit of love was passed to the next generation.

   Mike leaves behind his daughter, the light of his life, Jaime Chamis-Geuser of East Hampton, his cherished grandchildren Alex and Kaitlen, sister and brother-in-law Laurie and Tom Allen of East Hampton, brother and sister-in-law Doug and Susan Chamis of The Villages, FL, many special nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and treasured extended family the Kissinger’s - Stephen, Elisha and Eric. Mike is predeceased and reunited once again with his loving parents, nephew Christopher Allen with whom he had a special relationship, Rhonda Kissinger a cherished dear friend and extended family member, and Bonnie Chamis whom he will always hold dear to his heart.

   A heartfelt and very special thank you to Laurie who gave her time unselfishly caring for Mike in his time of need. The love and support between siblings are infinite.  Mike, Laurie, and Doug will always be devoted and would go above and beyond for one other. 

    Michael will be buried privately with full military honors at the CT State Veteran’s Cemetery, Middletown, CT on Friday Nov. 20th at 10AM.

    A special thanks to the Middlesex Hospital Critical Care Unit and Water’s Edge Center for Health and Rehabilitation for your profound services during these difficult times. 

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