Christopher ‘Chip’ Dunham, active in community
Christopher ”Chip” Dunham, 50, of Hector, N.Y., passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, April 24, 2019. He is survived by his wife Kelly McCarthy; sons, Jackson, Tanner and Finnegan; daughter Carlie Morley of Oswego, N.Y.; parents, Charles and Lynda Dunham of Lewes; brother, Tim Dunham of Hector; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jerry and Lois McCarthy of Chestertown, Md.; sister-in-law, Kate McCarthy of Arlington, Va.; brother-in-law, Clete (Ashley) McCarthy; and nephews, Brandon and Declan McCarthy of Herndon, Va.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m., Friday, May 3, at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th St., Watkins Glen, N.Y., followed by a memorial service and a time to share memories of Chip’s life at 6 p.m. A celebration remembering his life will be held this summer.
Chip was proud to live in and raise his family in Hector. He gave back to his community whenever asked, including several years with Hazlitt’s Seneca Santa events, Spirit of Schuyler fundraisers, Watkins Glen Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts, sports fundraisers, and he was a fixture of the Clam Tent at the VLH Fire Company’s Hector Fair. He was owner and chef of Hector BBQ Company. Chip and his wife were co-founders of the Watkins Glen Youth Lacrosse Program and brought lacrosse to the Watkins Glen Central School District. Chip was the current president of the Watkins Glen Sports Booster Club, a member of the BPOE #1546 Elks Lodge, and assistant coach of the Watkins Glen High School Lacrosse Team. When not volunteering or spending time with family, Chip could be found at Monday Night Blues at Rasta Ranch, open mic nights or euchre Sundays at the Scale House, listening to bands at Two Goats and playing backgammon at Hector Wine Company. His favorite days were lakeside and sailing on Seneca Lake.
Those wishing to honor and remember Chip’s life may consider a donation to the Dunham boys’ college fund, https://www.gofundme.com/dunham-boys-college-fund; or donate their time as a volunteer to the Watkins Glen Sports Booster Club. Please contact Melissa Snow for how and when, msnow@wgcsd.org.
Those who wish to express condolences to the family may do so online at www.RoyceChedzoy.com.
