Harry Chaffee

Class of 2004

Harry was born in 1945, in Lytham, England, and made his way to the U.S. with his mother aboard the Queen Mary when he was 10 months old. The family settled in Spokane, WA, where Harry’s father was stationed in the U.S. Air Force. He attended the University of Portland where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in business management.

After beginning his career as a sales clerk for Safeway, Harry entered the Air Force in 1966, attaining the rank of sergeant. His service completed in 1969, he married Jeanette and returned to Safeway as an assistant manager, moving on to become an account manager for Hunt-Wesson in 1972.

Following experience as a sales manager at two other companies, Harry founded S&L Brokerage, Inc. in 1983 with the goal of offering the best service and follow-through to customers in the Northwest.

Based on his efforts, he received broker of the year awards from companies including Trolli and Sweet Candy Co. He was also presented with Bob’s Candies, Inc.’s $1,000,000 Club award four times during the 1990s.

Receiving Clark County’s Volunteer of the Year award in 1991 during a Portland Trailblazers game was, Harry says, the crowning achievement of his career. He recognizes his wife as having had the biggest influence on his career, particularly noting her support for his scholastic and career decisions. Together the couple has raised three children – John, Lisa and Michael.

As part of his long-standing efforts to give back to his community, Harry has played Santa at local schools, churches, retirement centers, women’s shelters and at a minimum security prison. At the time of his induction, he had played the role for 45 years.

Harry passed away on January 17, 2021, of complications due to Parkinson’s disease.