Walter T. Chance

Walter T. Chance of Greenport died April 1. at Eastern Long Island Hospital. He was 64.

Walter T. Chance of Greenport died April 1. at Eastern Long Island Hospital. He was 64. 

Mr. Chance was born Jan. 1, 1950, in Bethel, N.C., to James Henry Langley and Mary Chance. He was educated in the Pitt County, N.C., school system before moving to Florida.

While in Florida, Mr. Chance harvested crops for a short time before moving to Riverhead. He worked for many different North Fork locations, including Cooper’s Fish Market in Greenport, Mattituck Senior Center nutrition program, Orient by the Sea and San Simeon by the Sound.

Mr. Chance’s friend Dorothy Watson said “Walter enjoyed all genres of music — from gospel and jazz to rhythm and blues and pop. He played the drums and one of his regular gigs was at the now-defunct Wright’s Inn nightclub in Riverhead, where he was also a resident bouncer.” She also mentioned that Mr. Chance loved all sports and from 1966 to 1970, Mr. Chance trained with professional boxers in a Riverhead gym to prepare for the New York Golden Gloves, Amateurs.

Family members said that he is remembered for loving his children and being a loving and kindhearted man.

Mr. Chance was predeceased by his father; and his sisters, Angela Marchelle and Ophelia Chance. He is survived by his mother, Mary, of Tarboro, N.C.; his sons, Andre Edwards and Anthony Chance of Greenport; his siblings, Jimmy, also of Tarboro, N.C., Lizzie Teel of Hassell, N.C., Mary Best of Greenville, N.C., Carolyn Graham of Nashville, N.C., and James Arthur Langley of New Haven, Conn.; and one grandchild.

The family received visitors April 9 at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport, which included a funeral service officiated by the Rev. Jimmie L. Smiley. Cremation was private.

Memorial donations may be made to SAVES, Inc. of Greenport or North Fork Animal Welfare League in Southold.