James R. Chaffinch Jr., 86

DENTON, Md. - James R. Chaffinch Jr. of Denton died Sunday, March 18, 2007, in his home. He was 86.

Mr. Chaffinch was born and raised in Denton, son of the late James Roland and Lenore (Greenley) Chaffinch.

He was a 1937 graduate of Caroline High School, and graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa.

After his Army service during World War II, he returned to Denton, where he worked briefly for the Nuttle Lumber & Coal Co. before joining the Denton National Bank, from which he retired as president in 1982.

Mr. Chaffinch was past president of the Maryland Banker's Association, served on the Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve Board, was a member of the Maryland Governor's Commission on School Performance and a founder of the Delmarva Data Center in Denton. He was active in the community as member and past president of the Denton Rotary Club, member of the Caroline American Legion Post 29 and past treasurer and Vestry member of Christ Episcopal Church in Denton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Irma H. Chaffinch, on March 16, 1995; and two sisters, Louise Clendaniel and Ellen Clark.

He is survived by his daughters, Melinda Merwin and her husband John of Houston, Texas, Susan Chaffinch of Denton, Candace Minner and her husband Dale of Denton and Janie Coyne and her husband Mike of Selinsgrove, Pa.; his "Brazilian daughter," Gloria Twardowski Johnson of Key Biscayne, Fla.; and his grandchildren, John Merwin, Sarah Minner, Zach Minner, Claire Coyne and Anne Coyne.

A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Saturday in Christ Episcopal Church, 105 Gay St., Denton.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 428, Denton, MD 21629; or Caroline Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 362, Denton, MD 21629.

Arrangements by Moore Funeral Home, Denton.