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Paul F. Chalfant, Jr.

Nov 5, 2021

As a life long musician and former owner/publisher of the Record Herald, Paul F. Chalfant Jr.’s love of life did not end with his death, it will live on in all who knew him.

Paul was admitted into Respite Care at Hospice of the Panhandle on September 26, 2021. He was surrounded by his loved ones as he passed away the following morning, September 27, 2021 at 11:06 a.m.

Having waged a long, courageous battle with cancer over years, he maintained his charming, optimistic outlook on life throughout. All who loved Paul will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Paul was born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, on October 24, 1926 along with his beloved twin sister Jean. He started his musical journey in life at a very early age.

A World War II Navy veteran, he served in Hawaii until July of 1946.

Paul was a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. He also held a Master’s Degree from the University of Tulsa and continued graduate studies at Syracuse University and the University of Minnesota.

After school, he became a member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, playing there for one year before leaving to play under Antal Dorati with the Minneapolis Symphony for the next three years. After his stay in Minneapolis, he moved the family back to Waynesboro, where he started working at his father’s newspaper, The Record Herald.

Through the years Paul was most active in the community. As a member of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishing Association, he served as a member of the Executive Committee and also was President of the Tri-State Press Club. He served as Director of the Chamber of Commerce, The Waynesboro Manufacturing Association, The Waynesboro Industrial Development Corporation, The Junior Chamber of Commerce, the local chapter of the Red Cross, as well as The Franklin County Travel Council. An active member of the YMCA, he served as head of the Y Board. Paul was elected to two terms on the Waynesboro School Board, where he served from 1972 until June 1988 and was President for several years. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason as a 69-year member of Acacia Lodge #586 of Waynesboro, PA.

In the late 60s, he took over as owner of Potter Travel in Waynesboro and continued there throughout the 70s.

In 1962, Paul was a Fulbright Scholar. He, along with James Thomson of Chambersburg, formed the Iran-American String Quartet in Tehran with an Iranian violist and cellist. They traveled the country for three months, playing in all the major cities. This experience had a profound impact on his musical life, prompting him to become the leading force in promoting music in the tristate area. He was concertmaster for a number of orchestras in the area over the years. Paul was a founding member of the Millbrook Orchestra in Shepherdstown where it delighted audiences for more than twenty years.

His love of the string quartet was a driving force in his life. He was a member of the Gallery Quartet at the Washington County Art Museum in Hagerstown, MD, and the Capitol String Quartet of Washington D.C. While a member of the Capitol String Quartet, he played in Rome, Italy for the Canonization of Mother Elizabeth Seton by Pope Paul VI, September 14, 1975 in St. Peter’s Square. Mother Seton is the first American born Saint.

Paul’s love of music continued after retirement to Florida where he played in four orchestras in the Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice area. He also enjoyed playing quartets at home with his friends, often times on a daily basis. Favorite music includes works by Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart. Paul, being such an accomplished and experienced musician, was always encouraging and supportive to younger musicians.

After his time in Florida, he and his wife Dianne moved to Shepherdstown where they lived for 20 years.

Paul enjoyed the water and was for a time an avid sailor, and was a fan of Redskins football and Georgetown Basketball, being an admirer of Coach John Thompson.

Preceding Paul in death were his parents P. Floyd and Julia S. Chalfant, his twin sister Jean C. Gee, his older sister Dorothy C. Morgret, son John (Jason) S. Chalfant, and his former wife Marion B. Chalfant.

Paul is survived by his wife of 35 years, Dianne Thomas Chalfant. Also surviving him are his children, son Paul F. Chalfant III, daughter Ann B. Gedrose and husband Steven Gedrose, and son James D. Chalfant and wife Cathy B. Chalfant; and also Dianne’s children Paul D. James, II, Keron Psillas Oliveira, and Ali C. Bowman and her husband Lester Bowman; two grandchildren, Jessica D. Carroll and Ian R. Starkey and his wife Maria and William M. Psillas; nephews Edward Morgret and wife Sarah, and Robert Morgret and wife Ginger; and grand nephews Nicholas and Clarke Morgret and their families.

A memorial celebration of Paul’s life will be held at Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad Street, Waynesboro, PA on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 between the hours of 4:30 P.M. and 6:30 P.M. The family will hold a private burial at Green Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Paul F. Chalfant’s name to Christ United Methodist Church, 100 South Church St. Waynesboro, PA 17268 or Acacia Lodge #586, 33 W. Main St., Waynesboro, PA 17268.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com.