Zane J. Chase

Zane J. Chase, 81, passed away at home with his family by his side on Thursday, April 15th, 2021. Born October 16, 1939 in New Durham, NH to Ruth Lambert and Victor Chase, Zane grew up in Rochester, NH.  A 1958 graduate of Spaulding High School, he excelled in football, baseball and basketball.  SHS is where he met his high school sweetheart and prom date, Junellen Osborne.  Zane enlisted in the Army and while stationed in Mannheim, Germany, he traveled throughout Europe as a pitcher for the US Commanders Army baseball team.  Zane and June married on July 2, 1960 and had three daughters.  Zane put his family above all else and lived life to the fullest, positively impacting anyone fortunate enough to cross his path. Zane wore many hats (literally and figuratively), including working for Lachance Trucking, a family business owned and operated by his beloved uncle, Dick Lachance.  Always proud to be an active community leader in the City of Rochester, he could be seen at all of the ballfields, basketball courts, pools, and playgrounds while he was the Rochester Recreation Director, keeping them all safe and clean (and rinks flooded in the wee hours of the morning!) for the kids.  He enjoyed countless open gym sessions playing pick-up hoop; his infamous half-court set shot is legendary.  Balancing fun with some structure, a little known fact is that he was also the Truant Officer for the Rochester School System at one point.  Though not a fan of dogs, he found himself with a four-legged (German Shepard) partner while he was a security guard at the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant.  He retired from Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick, ME as a Tool Crib Operator, and post-retirement, he enjoyed greeting everyone on the first tee as The Oaks Golf Club's "Starter". Additional community activities included significant pride as the shortstop for Roy Allain's esteemed softball team, Allain's Jewelry, a Spaulding High Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach for his friend and Head Coach, Bob Berry, a Bud's Barbers teammate with special family members in a Rochester Bowlaway Lanes men's league, and a lifelong member of the Rochester Elks where many a story and game of cards took place with special friends.  There wasn't a round of golf he didn't love, including the ones he watched in person at the Travelers Championship and on TV - especially The Masters.  He was a Boston sports team loyalist, supporting his Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, New England Patriots, and Boston Bruins no matter what. What many did not know was how many individuals Zane helped along the way, with his quiet and humble generosity.  He was the gift that kept on giving, and his family, many friends, and the community are all better for it.  Zane and June enjoyed many years on Maho Beach at their home away from home at the Royal Islander Club on St. Maarten, sharing special quality time in the sun with family and friends. Zane is predeceased by his infant daughter, Joni, his parents, and siblings Janet Pelley and husband Bill, Arthur "Bud" Lambert and wife Vickie, Cynthia Maggio, and brother-in-law Jody Ferguson.  Zane is survived by his wife, June, his daughters Shana Ellis and husband Jon, and Kara Landry and husband Jay, as well as his sister, Linda Ferguson, and brother-in-law Chic Maggio.  He leaves behind a beautiful legacy for his grandchildren Jordan, Connor, Ryan and Kate, whom he loves beyond description, as well as his five special Godchildren, Jon, Cathy, Ren, Candi and Jim.  He was also blessed with uncles and aunts who helped him become the amazing man he was and many nieces, nephews, and cousins he cherished. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date, when family and friends can gather to commemorate Zane, who was larger than life.  Until then, never miss the chance to share a good story, tell a joke, lend a helping hand, or tell someone you love them.  It would be the best way to honor and capture the essence of "Zany."