Birch Harbor
1941-2022
Albert (Bert) Chipman, son of Edgar E. Chipman and Minnie M. Chipman, was born on April 11, 1941, in Birch Harbor. He passed in his home surrounded by family in Bunkers Harbor on Aug. 21, 2022, after an extended illness.
Bert graduated from Sumner High School in 1959 and continued his education graduating from a butcher trade school. While working in Ellsworth, he helped start the IGA food chain in Maine. In 1966, he married Elizabeth (Betty) Carter Chipman. They soon moved back to Birch Harbor and Bert worked for the commissary at the Naval Security Group Base in Winter Harbor/Schoodic Point. While working there, a side of beef fell on him, crushing his right shoulder and side, ending that career, and causing enduring pain throughout his life.
After several surgeries, Bert and Betty purchased the little red schoolhouse on a busy corner in Birch Harbor and served the community in many ways. First, they opened a gift shop containing gifts, greeting cards, souvenirs and supplies for local fishermen. Bert also offered steamed lobsters. Two years later he opened Nicole’s Dairy Crème, where his daughter Nicole worked. Next the red schoolhouse became a full restaurant with Bert’s sister, Mildred, baking the delicious pies, his son Jon cooking and his daughter Nicole cooking and managing. Eventually the schoolhouse was converted to an actual home. Many of us remember patronizing these businesses.
Bert was a lover of nature and saw it with an artist’s eye, whether it was his never-tiring view of Bunker’s Harbor, the birds outside his window, the flowers in his garden, the surf at Schoodic Point or the ocean he fished for fun. His camera was taking artistic photos. Bert loved talking with people and shopping, but most of all, he cared about his family of children, grandchildren and wife. His grandchildren were loved and they (and many of us) enjoyed his genuinely rich laugh.
Bert is survived by his son Jon Chipman (Stacie) and grandchildren, Jessob (Jordan), Calob (Teneisha Faulkingham) and Isabel Chipman Seavey (Brent), two great-grandsons, Levi Chipman and L.B. Seavey; his daughter Nicole Chipman Thomas (Bill), triplet grandchildren, Elijah, Benjamin and Elizabeth (the crew); and his brother George Chipman (Rebecca). Also a dearly loved little friend, Gideon, and his very sad Shih-tzu, Angel.
Bert’s deceased relatives include his parents, his wife, Betty, his six brothers: Roger (Doris), Avery (Estelle), Leaman (Kay), Maynard (Annabel), Vinton (Alice), Herbert and sister Mildred Crowley. The family appreciates the care that Bert’s brother George and wife, Becky, have given during Bert’s extensive illness. In Bert’s later life his pain was more intense but his love for his wife and his care for her during her last years never stopped. No memorial service will be held at this time.