The marquee on the Fair Haven firehouse is once again bearing some sad news.

Yet another member of the deep-rooted fire department kin has passed. Longtime Fair Havenites know the borough-anchored family. They knew the family’s departed patriarch and fondly remember his tall stature topped by a grand zest for life and love of all things family and community — it was all synonymous for the man people knew as Chum Chandler.

Chum, a lifelong Fair Haven resident and 65-year member of its fire company, died at 89 on March 8, leaving behind a compassionate life lived to the fullest, his family said in his obituary.

There will be a service/visitation for Chum Chandler on  Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. There will be a fire department tribute at 7:30.

And on Saturday there will be a celebration, as his family put it in his obituary, of his life at the Fair Haven firehouse, on River Road, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Warren “Chum” Chandler will be buried in the Brig. Gen. Wm. C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Arneytown, NJ.

The following is some more information taken directly from his obituary on Thompson Memorial Home’s website:

Chum Chandler served his country proudly during WWII in the US Navy, South Pacific.

The owner of Chandler Septic Tank Service, Chum was a 65-year member of the Fair Haven Fire Department.

He loved to hunt, fish and crab and was a founding member of The Sea Bright Rod and Gun Club. He loved all sports and participated in the Rumson Veterans Football, the Willow Brook Golf Club, and numerous baseball teams and bowling leagues.

Chum as a loyal fan of the N.Y. Mets and Giants. He “lived a full life whose fun-loving personality will live on forever!”

Chum was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth “Betty” (Long).

He is survived by: sons Warren (Stephanie), George (Judi), Richard (Lisa), Peter (Natasha); daughters Elizabeth (Dan), Carol (Mike), Deborah (Dan); 15 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; and special friend, Joan Fowler.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Fair Haven Fire Department, 635 River Rd., Fair Haven, NJ 07704.

Many have good memories of Chum Chandler. Please share your memories with us as we prepare a full memorial tribute. Email anything you’d like to share to [email protected]