Francis "Chip" Lampro, II

WASHINGTON, Mass. —  

We regret to announce the passing of our dear Francis “Chip” Henry Lampro II, longtime resident of North Las Vegas, Nevada, originally of Washington, Massachusetts. Born April 12, 1957, he passed away peacefully at age 66 on Saturday, August 26, 2023, surrounded by the love of family and friends and his wife Lainey at his side, after bravely enduring a battle with melanoma.

Chip took great pride in his career as a land surveyor, a profession he loved. Blessed with great spatial intelligence, he used precision and upheld high standards in all he approached. A natural-born entertainer, he also worked at the renowned Bonnie Springs Ranch in Nevada, where he suited up as a “man in black” to play the role of sheriff.

Some say he missed his calling in life to be a standup comic, such was his lightening-fast wit and remarkable ability to speak in rhyme, cracking us up well into his final days.

In recent years, he had taken to painting on canvas. He produced a prolific number of colorful acrylics of nature scenes, including the dramatic Vegas mountains, waterfalls and moody skies behind his home. He loved animals and visits to see the wild burros at Red Rock Canyon. An avid birder, he enjoyed whistling back-and-forth with all wild birds visiting his driveway, feeding them apple pieces. He loved to tinker in his garage shop, polishing his glossy black Harley, and he especially enjoyed creative projects such as recording original music at his home studio.

Music was his first passion, especially the blues. He was a terrific lead guitarist, and played in several local Berkshire bands, including the Leon Savage Band, the Shady Knights and Aluminum Forecast. In Vegas, projects included ACE Blues Band, Bluesaholics Blues Band, and Alex the Cat Blues Band. Among his collaborators and close friends was the late bassist/guitarist Nate Raimer, of Pittsfield; he is survived by bassist Alejandro “Alex” Chavez of Las Vegas, with whom he produced a recording of original music as the Organized Mess Blues Band in 2022.

He is survived by his wife and best friend of 23 years, Alaine Reed, his “Lainey,” originally of Illinois; his daughter by birth, Mandee Lee Lampro, with former spouse Karen Hayes, of Pittsfield; step-sons Wavie (Jay), Desmond, and Shawn Reed, of Las Vegas; his mother Trish Lampro George, of Pittsfield; brothers Jim Lampro, of Dalton and Jody Lampro, of Washington; sister Kathy Lampro Adams, of Otis and half-sister Sheri Loiodice of Stockbridge. Grandchildren include Lexee Jada Rice, of Easthampton; Troy David Healey and Chayse William Healey, of Pittsfield; step-grandchildren Christopher, Darrian, Cyan, Sage and Teya Reed, of Las Vegas; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in 1989 by his father, Francis Henry Lampro, of Becket.

Thank you to MountainView Hospital and Nathan Adelson Hospice of Las Vegas for their caring measures of comfort and peace.

Please join us for a memorial service to be held at 11 am on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at the Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 East Main Street, Dalton, officiated by Pastor William Mulholland of Becket.