Donald R. Chapman, 97, of Baldwinsville, passed away the night of February 22, 2025 at The Cottages at Garden Grove in Cicero, New York. Don was the son of Russel and Vera Chapman of Syracuse.

Don was a U.S. Army Veteran proudly serving his country during World War II. While in the army, he was a power man operating and maintaining Army power plant equipment.  Following his military service, Don got a job working in a service station in Syracuse and immediately bought his first car, a 1929 Model A Ford. In 1949, he purchased a 1938 Pierce Arrow which he towed home using his Model A!

Don worked for over 50 years at General Electric/Lockheed Martin in Syracuse. For the majority of his career at GE, he wired huge electronics cabinets designed for military applications. This was highly detailed and technical work, at which Don excelled.

Don put his precision thinking and technical background to work in his ongoing admiration of classic automobiles. He added a 1929 model 133 Club Brougham Pierce Arrow to his fleet. He took pleasure in owning both the largest (Pierce Arrow) and the smallest car for the year 1938 (American Bantam), both of these cars are currently on display at the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich, NY. Don enjoyed learning the history of vehicles built in Syracuse (Franklin, Brennen), Rochester (Cunningham), Buffalo (Pierce Arrow, Thomas), and Elmira (American LaFrance).

Don eagerly joined car clubs as they formed. He was a long time member of many clubs including the Antique Automobile Club of America, the Pierce Arrow Society, the H.H. Franklin Club, Classic Car Club of America, and SPAAMFAA (Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus). In 1954, Don and his friend Hank Manwell traveled to the 1st Fall Meet hosted by AACA in Hershey, PA. They arrived in a 1936 model 1601 sedan but the 18 year old vehicle, not yet being an antique, was not allowed on the show field. Over a span of seventy years, Don attended numerous classic car events traveling from coast to coast with camera in hand.

Don introduced many young people to the world of antique cars. He was a wealth of automotive knowledge and loved to tell stories of individual cars he had encountered as well as sharing general automotive history. His enthusiasm was contagious and his knowledge of auto details was invaluable. His joy of sharing stories and knowledge, mentorship, and enthusiasm will be missed.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 13, 2025 at 10:00 am in the Liverpool First United Methodist Church, 604 Oswego Street, Liverpool. NY 13088, with burial to follow in White Chapel Memory Garden, Dewitt, NY.

There will be an open house reception starting at 1:00 pm hosted by Don's estate on June 25, 2025 at the Northeast Classic Car Museum, 24 Rexford Street, Norwich, NY, 13815.

Please sign the funeral home on-line guestbook for Donald to express your condolences to his friends and family.