Island Sun & River News Obituary

Timmy Chamberlain

 

Long-time and well-loved Sanibel resident Timothy “Timmy” Donald Chen Chamberlain, 53, was killed in a car accident at the corner of John Morris & Summerlin Roads on Tuesday, Mar. 15. A white cross bearing his name now stands where he parked the car in which he took his last breath.

Born in Buffalo, NY, on July 19, 1962, to Joseph and Alice Chen Chamberlain, Timmy graduated from Amherst Central High School in 1982. He went on to serve in the Army reserve.

In Buffalo, Timmy was known as one of the best skateboarders in town and was an avid slalom skier in the winter. His award-winning career as a bartender that began in New York would span 30 years, including stints at iconic island venues.

In 1988, he moved to Sanibel with childhood buddy, Carmen Carriero.

“No matter what he did he was very passionate about it,” said Carriero, who currently bartends at George & Wendy’s.

After falling in love over a plate of fresh oysters at the Lazy Flamingo in 1993, he married the love of his life, fellow Sanibel resident and Sundial employee Sharon Walter. During his tenure on the islands, Timmy bartended at the Sundial, the Bubble Room, Tween Waters Oasis Pool Bar, West Wind Inn and the Key Lime Bistro and was a favorite among patrons.

Known for his gregarious and unconventional manner, Tim was also an avid bass player and entertained islanders in various bands, including Robby Hutto and The Absent Minded, which was tattooed across his back.

He was a a member of Sanibel Community Church where he served as bass player in the Praise Team from 1997-2010. He and Sharon’s two children, Sterling and Katie, both attended The Sanibel School through middle school. Sterling now hand tosses pizzas at Beach Piez; Katie worked as a hostess at Cantina Captiva for two years and now is a hostess at the Twisted Vine in downtown Fort Myers.

Timmy most recently worked as an airport taxi driver and lived in Fort Myers.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his father, Joseph (and Susan) Chamberlain, of Buffalo,NY; his mother, Alice Chen Chamberlain, of Taipei, Taiwan, China; his sister, Joann (Marc) of Woodstock, NY; son, Sterling, 22; daughter, Katie, 18, both of Fort Myers and stepson Justin Smith (Lauren), of Columbus, Ohio, and three step-granddaughters. Also surviving is neice, Asia, 23 and aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Fort Myers on Fri. April 8 at 2:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Timmy’s memory to F.I.S.H. of Sanibel.