Clayton left this world peacefully on June 27, 2025, with his loved ones at his side. Beloved husband of 44 years to Suzanne Marie Marielle Chamberlain, dearest father to Suzanne Marie Chamberlain and Clayton Reid Chamberlain; and devoted grandfather to Lillian Marie Chamberlain. Predeceased by his parents Harry and Ella Chamberlain, and his brother Selwyn Russell Chamberlain; Survived by his sister Sally Anne Chamberlain (Gordon Thomson) and his large extended family.
Born January 5, 1942, in Fort St. John, B.C., Clayton was the firstborn of this true pioneer family: the Chamberlains of the Invermere Valley and the Freer of the Peace River. With the need for a higher education for their children and for milder winters for their health, his parents sold their homestead and relocated south to Cawston, Allanby and finally to Penticton in the Okanagan valley. Clayton loved growing up in Penticton. In 1960, the day after graduation, he and his friend rode their 3-speed bicycles from Penticton to Vancouver with very little fanfare.
In 1965, Clayton married Georgette Eveline Bergeron of New Westminster, BC. Within a couple of years, first Suzanne and then Reid were born. Although he and Georgette parted ways, his children remained his pride, his heart, and his priority.
In his career Clayton mastered a variety of skillsets. For his family that meant fixer-of-all-things: houses, apartments, cars. His Red Seal of Endorsement in Carpentry qualified him to work anywhere in Canada. In his work, what set him apart was his strong project management skills with a unique leadership style where each employee benefited greatly from his kind, supportive nature Within each project he created work opportunities for the disadvantaged: for those without sight, the hearing-impaired, those with mobility issues, military veterans, the abused and abandoned, and those who were transitioning to a new way of living. It was never “if we can” but rather “how can we”. Eventually under his own company banner, Regent Management Inc., he, and his team tackled “leaky condo” issues from Abbotsford to Horseshoe Bay. His motto throughout was: If we cannot guarantee our work, we will not take it on. We do it right or not at all.
In his personal time, Clayton exemplified quiet service as a volunteer. In fact, he received a Governor General award for the quality of his volunteer work in training Scout leaders and the positive impact it brought to his North Delta community. But, in being the quiet, reserved person that he was, this prestigious award remained unframed within his private papers.
In 1980, while moving Schlage Lock manufacturing from Vancouver to Toronto, he sat on a flight next to Suzanne Marie Marielle Hampson. Mechanical issues would delay flight departure by three hours without the option to deplane. Upon arrival, both had missed their connecting flights. After coffee, at a 24-hour kiosk, they exchanged business cards, and each went on to their next flight. But the stars had aligned for these two individuals. A few more visits to each other’s family and city, and they married on November 7, 1981.
Together they formed a loving, caring partnership that always recognized the importance of family. Clayton quickly became a member of Suzie’s large boisterous family. The men spoke of him as “a really good guy”. The aunties simply addressed him as “le beau Clayton”, and Suzie was chastised for making him work so hard when he should come and sit with his new relatives.
Although Suzie missed her many friends and family in Ottawa, she cherished having two young people in her life. They added a new perspective that was much more important than shopping for shoes in New York: to have an impact on someone’s life as opposed to only on your own. Clayton would chuckle each time she said: “Did you see that mountain, that view?” The kids in the back seat rolled their eyes many, many times. While she drove the mountain highways, he patiently taught her not to freeze if the road disappeared around a curve; but rather, to watch the speed sign and decelerate. Never stop on a curve unless you want the semi behind you to send you over the edge! Message delivered loud and clear! Clayton smiled hugely when Suzanne and Reid each crossed the graduation stage and made their way forward to their life in Calgary.
The years went by too quickly but when granddaughter Lilian Marie Chamberlain was born, Clayton could not think of a greater gift than to hold her little hand in his and tell her all about what lie ahead: how he would teach her to fish, to waterski and how to ride in the front seat of his truck when they would all drive up to the cabin.
Clayton represented the best of those remarkable Canadians who just get the job done without fanfare, in a quiet, caring manner. We were each so privileged to have had him in our lives.
A Celebration of Life / Memorial Mass will take place on Tuesday, September 9th from 11:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. at Immaculate Conception Parish, 8842 - 119th Street, North Delta, B.C.
Kindly assist us in planning a short reception to follow by confirming your attendance at 604 584 6905.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Clayton Chamberlain’s name to the Alzheimer's Society of BC.
September 18th, 2025
September 18th, 2025
Instead of using the same adjectives and adverbs to describe my father as the other tributes have already done so well, I'm going to just write about little things he did that demonstrate the kind of dad he was to me. And I think anyone who knows him, will recognize his character in some or all of these.
My dad was a "present" father in a time that that wasn't a thing. While he was always gone to work already when I woke up and home at or after dinner, he was always "there". From weekend picknicks in Stanley Park, tobogganing at Queen's Park, to being my Scout leader. Picking up the clipboard to fill in as soccer coach even though he didn't know anything about soccer. He taught me, along with half the extended family, how to drive. We went camping and fishing every single summer without fail.
My dad was strict when needed and forgiving when deserved. When I was 6 we drove to Disneyland. I don't know where we where but it was somewhere on the I5 and he must have been pushed over the edge by Suzanne and my bickering. He pulled over, told us to get out, and drove a bit down the road and stopped and waited for us to walk to the car. Now it couldn't have been more than 30 meters, but it seemed like a kilometer to me. I think Suzanne and I behaved the rest of the way. We drove to Disneyland a second time, I think I was about 12. The people we stayed with also had a son my age. We slept in a tent in the yard and one evening, as 12 year old boys might, we were telling some "spicey" jokes. Now the window to the house was open and everything we said was heard inside. My mom and dad thought is was funny and laughed at what we were saying. The other boys parents were not so forgiving and made their son eat a spoon of cayenne pepper.
My dad always had time for the neighbourhood kids. He'd join in on our summer evening kick the can games. He made a "cannon" that shot tennis balls that we'd chase down tirelessly just to return and have him shoot off again. In the winter when we'd grab onto the bumper of his car to "bumper ski" he never yelled at us to get off, on the contrary he'd get a smile on his face and give us a good ride.
My dad did things for me that still surprise me when I think about them. He carpooled to work so I could drive his car to school. When the car broke down at 2am in the middle of nowhere, he came with the other car, waited at the side of the road while I took all my friends home, then came back to get him. When he got tired of carpooling he got a car that was going to go to the junk yard, and helped me fix it up so I had my own car to drive.
My dad did things for other people that still surprise me when I think about them. He and Sue came home with strangers from Expo '86 because they came to town without a place to stay. One summer at the cabin, there was a new place going up beside us, dad spent the vacation helping them frame the cabin of people we just met. In university when a friend of mine's basement suite flooded, he brought all his "gear" over and helped me dry her place out even though it should have been her landlord's responsibility.
I'm glad my dad got to know my daughter, his only granddaughter. I'm sad she didn't get to know him for longer. I'm sad she didn't get to know him the way I did.
Goodbye dad.
September 12th, 2025
All my life I lived with the support and love of my two older brothers, Clayton Ronald Chamberlain(deceased June 27, 2025 and Selwyn Russel Chamberlain ( deceased March 17, 2019.
In Allenby, we shared a large bedroom: the boys in bunks and me in a single bed. Every winter, we sledded down the road behind our house to the smelter(and pulled our sleds all the way up to get back home). We built snow tunnels that lasted all winter; we picked wild strawberries in the spring and hiked in the sunflower hills all summer. We secretly walked the train tracks to Princeton across the tressel.
In Penticton, we lived on Quebec Street on an orchard where we all worked hard. But when we played it was always together,the boys letting me tag along and looking after me. We spent wonderful times biking to Skaha Lake (no hands all the way)to spend many happy hours with our friends swimming, waterskiing and boating. Sometimes we floated down the canal to Skaha Lake and had to walk back home in bare feet on the hot pavement. We shared a large tent when we were camping at Nicola Lake, my brothers always making sure I was safe back in the tent after I had been sleep walking. When I had a job picking apricots on an orchard on my own at age 14, they came and made sure none of the men working there bothered me.
Both my brothers were good cooks. Every Christmas, Clayton and I would phone each other to confirm what temperature we were cooking the turkey, covered or not for how long.
Clayton was a wonderful son even though we were raised in a tense family with a rather domineering father. Over the years he continued to spend time with our father fishing at Nicola lake and renovating dad's homes at the lake and in Summerland. Clayton was especially close to our mother, always visiting her in Summerland after our father died, taking her out for steak dinners, and regularly seeing her when she was in a care home at the end of her life.
All my life until they died, Clayton and Selwyn were there as my back up and support: Selwyn helped with any legal and financial probems and Clayton was the hands on practical mechanic and carpenter who always helped me and everyone in the family. He helped his brother to build his first house; he repaired many of my apartments and houses and those of friends and family . He helped us all move many times. And he taught everyone in the famiy to drive.
In his last years as Clayton was losing his memory, we spent many lunches happily remembering those summer days in Penticton swimming and waterskiing, and talking about his children, Suzanne and Reid and his granddaughter, Lilly . Sharing what joy they had brought to him and how proud he was of them.
Good bye Clayton. Thank you for being my brother. I will miss you forever
Your sister, Sally
September 9th, 2025
Hey grandpa its Lillian I really wish I could've said I love you or bye when I had the chance. I'll miss you a lot since you were an amazing grandpa to me. I remember how much you loved to fish and go on long walks. I hope there are lakes in the after life for you to fish in [I bet you'd fish out the biggest one]. Just know we all love you and i am so grateful to have been held in your arms when I was a tiny/chubby baby. You seemed so happy to have me in your arms. There are plenty of funny moments I'll always remember about you. Love Lillian...
September 8th, 2025
Clayton was our backyard neighbour and friend. He personified the definition of a great neighbour and person. We will forever feel honoured and grateful to him for becoming part of our lives. We would also like to send our condolences to Suzie and her whole family.
September 8th, 2025
Lovely memories
September 8th, 2025
Clayton was a wonderful man so caring towards others . We all benefitted from his calm and sensitive nature. All of us will miss him every day. Judy
September 8th, 2025
Dear Uncle Clayton,
Words cannot describe what you mean to me and the impact you've had on my life and our family. Ever since the day I was born, you've been there every step of the way to love and support me. And for that I will always be grateful.
Thinking about everything you taught me over the years and the incredible memories built along the way only brings a smile to my face: from going on adventures in the camper, to making the best morning pancakes with homemade strawberry jam, playing euchre + dominoes all night long long, taking bike rides around the city, teaching me to drive, dancing and singing with me at my wedding and so much more.
Every holiday was made ten times better knowing we could always count on you for your famous turkey or roast beast feast (not to mention my all-time favourite dish, Clayton's Yorkshire pudding).
I can't thank you enough for all these wonderful memories, but more importantly for showing me what amazing qualities and life lessons I want to pass to to my sons as they grow up and hear about their special Great-Uncle Clayton.
Love and miss you!
Jacqueline
September 8th, 2025
Clayton was remarkable for his generosity and kindness. I will never forget his voice and his calmness. Now freed from his suffering, I dare to imagine that he is watching over us with Andrée Hampson, like guardian angels.
I extend my deepest condolences to the Chamberlain family and the Hampson family, especially Suzanne, my sister-in-law. My thoughts also go out to all those who were fortunate enough to count Clayton among their friends, so many of whom share his memory.
Nicole Milette, wife of Ken Hampson, Suzanne's older brother.
French version for his family and friends from Quebec. Version française pour sa famille et connaissances du Québec
Clayton était remarquable par sa générosité et sa gentillesse. Je n’oublierai jamais sa voix et son calme. Désormais libéré de ses souffrances, j’ose imaginer qu’il veille sur nous avec Andrée Hampson, comme des anges protecteurs.
J’adresse mes plus sincères condoléances à la famille Chamberlain ainsi qu’à la famille Hampson, en particulier à Suzanne, ma belle-sœur. Ces pensées s’étendent également à toutes celles et tous ceux qui ont eu la chance de compter Clayton parmi leurs amis, si nombreux à partager sa mémoire.
Nicole Milette, épouse de Ken Hampson, grand frère de Suzanne.
September 5th, 2025
September 5th, 2025
You left us with a great void, but I will always remember you with that loving smile that made me happy. You were a loving grandfather and a wonderful father-in-law. I could write so many things about why I feel blessed to have been part of your family, but time wouldn't allow me enough, so I only pray to God for your good soul. Rest in peace Dad.
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