Obituary
Geoffrey “Geoff” Chatterton
Geoffrey ‘Geoff’ Chatterton, 89, Born in Hull, England on March 29, 1934 passed away Monday, February 12th at his home on French Island after a gritty, 14-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Geoff was a humble man of meager means from North Yorkshire who had a front row seat into the desolation caused by war. Images of personnel coming down the street removing all metal fences and railings to support the war effort etched a frugal nature for a six-year old boy. Making do with whatever was available was the way…as when the need for something arose, the first thought was not let’s go buy something, but let’s see what we can make!
To help make ends meet, Geoff quit high school and served an apprenticeship in a service garage where he learned not only the value of hard work, but how things worked. He spent time tinkering with motorcycles and his first cars including an Austin 7 during and after further education at Tech College in York.
On July 2, 1955, Geoff married the love of his life, Hetty Elizabeth Jackson at the Selby Abbey Episcopal Church in Selby, England. The two were inseparable until Hetty’s passing in 2012. Geoff was a dedicated father and cared for Hetty at home through her last days.
In 1958, Hetty’s uncle offered sponsorship of the young couple for immigration to the United States and on August 8, 1958 with a few suitcases of personal belongings in hand, the pursuit of the American dream was underway. Both Hetty and Geoff went through the formal education process and proudly became United States citizens and lived in the Coulee region of Wisconsin–Sparta, Holmen & French Island over the years.
Geoff briefly worked in the roofing, heating and cooling business until being offered a job as a press operator at Northern Engraving in 1961. Geoff’s determination, drive and creativity did not go unnoticed and he progressed upwards through the organization before his retirement in 2001.
Along the way, Geoff became interested in sailing…anything with sail. Geoff designed and made his first sailboat starting with a small-scale model that first floated in the bath tub. Shortly after, the family joined the LaCrosse Sailing Club and began racing Snipe and Laser class boats. In 1990, Geoff began sailing in Lake City, MN on Lake Pepin as the boat sizes out grew Lake Onalaska. The home-built boat was the beginning of a nearly 55-year adventure of many different sailing craft on water, land and ice. Most of all, sailing was a path for Geoff to express his creativity and about learning & continuous improvement that started at the back of the fleet and progressed to the front on the score card—the wall for the trophies became well stocked. Determination, practice and effort paid off—part of the American dream. Much of the effort would be Geoff making his own hardware and go-fast goodies in his workshops and later in the detached garage mom called “the little, big house”. Geoff also helped many other club members better themselves at the craft of sailing, both on the water and in the workshop.
Water based sailing wasn’t the only form of harnessing the power of the wind for entertainment. Shortly after the first sailboat was designed, it wasn’t long before the Chatterton’s were seen cruising around the grade school parking lot on windy days on a custom-made go-cart under inexpensive wind power—fun on a tight budget. Mom sewed the sail that was mounted to an old tetherball pole that served as the mast. Not flashy, but it worked and got us outside. After a few dust ups with the pavement, modifications to the cart were made to make the rig more stable.
As of last summer, Geoff was still racing sailboats on Lake Pepin in Lake City, MN and Lake Onalaska in LaCrosse, WI with family and friends. Geoff liked to share the sport with others and invited countless friends to go along for rides. Our last discussion was preparing for the upcoming season. His enthusiasm for sailing will be missed.
Geoff is survived by sons, David A. Chatterton & his wife Wendy, Markham G. (Sheri Hansel) Chatterton. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his mother and father in law.
The family wants to commend French Island First Responders, Tri-State EMT’s and Gundersen ER Staff in their efforts to help Geoff on February 12th. We would also like to thank the medical staff at Gunderson for helping navigate the progression of Parkinson’s Disease for almost 14 years—the education was most helpful in giving care. Additional thanks go out to the physical therapy department who really helped extend the duration of Geoff’s mobility and quality of life—you are the folks that made sailing last year possible.
The Chatterton family would like to share special thanks to those that came to visit and watch Geoff while he was home—too many to name, but Geoff really became more animated during and after visits. Most importantly, we want to thank Wendy’s sister, Sue Johnson, for her care giving of Geoff for the last 2.5 years that allowed Geoff to remain in his home. Geoff’s around the clock care was a family event for which Geoff was very grateful.
According to Geoff’s wishes, no services will be held. Please send any memorials to the Gundersen Lutheran Parkinson Research Foundation in Geoffrey’s memory.
Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
Our prayers are with your family for peace and healing. God bless the memory of your father.
With deepest sympathy and love, Tom and Kate Herlitzke
John 3: 16 next paragraph in church 5 years ago Jeff gave his life to Christ.
I had the privilege to spend over 7 years in his friendship. A mean Scrabble player who used sailing terms and won. We spent Monday nights at Perkins free pie night and Fridays at a fish fry.
My entire family grew to know and love Geoff.
I’ll see you soon my friend.
I love you!
Mark & David
I’ve never forgotten the authentic kindness and caring I experienced with your parents. I learned something new every time I was at the house, from sailing tips to cooking to chess.
I’m sorry for your loss, I know your parents are proud that you continue with their legacy of love, learning, kindness and hard work.
Dave, Markham, Wendy, Sheri and Sue,
We are saddened to learn of Geoff’s passing. We truly expected to see him biking or walking around the neighborhood any day like last year! His life was remarkable as was your devotion to him.
Dear Chatterton family, Geoff’s boat was usually number one at Tuesday night racing with the daysailer fleet for many years. His stiff upper lip attitude blended with a wry sense of humor. I was privileged to race with your family at Lake City on a windy day near the end of the sailing season. Geoff and I were sitting on the rail of the sailboat and he leaned over and said, ” anything else you’d rather be doing?” Geoff will be missed and we send our condolences to you.
David and Markham I’m sorry to see your father has passed away. You guys lived 3 houses down from us in Holmen and I have fond memories of you coming over to play with my younger sisters. It was nice to read all the interesting things about your dad. My sympathies to all of you. Evie Gilberg
Markham,
Sorry to hear about the passing of your father. His history is very interesting and explains quite a bit about you.
My sympathies to you and your family.
David,
I learned so much from your Father Geoff at Northern Engraving over the years. He was such a Nice person and will be sadly missed.
Very sorry for your lose. I remember meeting your Dad at the Trane Patent dinner. Your Dad had a great blessing of having wonderful family to help him. You can’t ask for more.
Markham, we are very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. We are thinking of you and your family.
David and Markham,
We are very sorry about the passing of your father. He was one of our oldest friends, as we sailed with him and with your family, often competitively, for about 60 years, first on Lake Onalaska and later, in much bigger boats, on Lake Pepin. In fact, we became his neighbors on French Island in 1976, when he told us that Putman’s cabin was for sale. And finally, Geoff showed us that competitive sailing is a sport that can be enjoyed successfully, even at an advanced age. He will be missed by many fellow sailors.
Sorry to hear of your loss Dave, your dad was a great guy and I’m glad i got to know him working at Luxco. Prayers are on the way.
Markham and David, we are so sorry to learn of Geoff’s passing. There are so many memories we have racing our daysailers on Lake Onalaska, most of the time looking at the transom of Bullseye and him at the tiller. He is a legend I am proud to have known and learned so much from. Please accept our condolences for your loss.
Markham and family, my sincere condolences on the passing of Geoff. I often wondered at his son’s dedication to dad seeing Geoff regularly crewing on H2O Sprite right up through the 2023 Lake City racing season. His presence will be missed by all Lake City racers.
Markham and Family,
Jill and I are very sorry for your loss. Geoff lived an amazing life! His passion for sailing always stood out! He was always kind and thoughtful. His presence will be dearly missed every Saturday.
We keep you and your family in our hearts.
Ken and Jill Ewald