Family's Halloween Display Honors Deceased School Bus Driver

When Portsmouth's Chris Redfern Carceller visited North Conway, NH, this past Columbus Day weekend with her family, she was amazed and inspired by a trend throughout the town - the "pumpkin people."

North Conway residents had created "pumpkin people" Halloween displays on their front lawns. The residents used pumpkins to create realistic-looking people in various roles. 

The "pumpkin people" displays are actually an annual tradition in New Hampshire. So much so, the town of Jackson, NH, recently celebrated its 26th annual Return of the Pumpkin People. 

Carceller knew she wanted to start a "pumpkin people" tradition in Portsmouth, but knew it was too late in the season. She also wasn't sure what to create, until she heard some bad news. 

"The Portsmouth school bus driver Alan Chapman had passed away. He wasn't just a bus driver, but a friend," Carceller said. 

Chapman, also known as "Chap and Pep," died on Oct. 10, 2013, at his Tiverton home. He was 73. 

After retiring in 2002 from the popular LaSalette Shrine in Attleboro, MA, where he served as maintenance supervisor for more than 10 years, Chapman started driving a school bus for the First Student Bus Co.

He drove school bus #14, transporting Portsmouth students in grades 1 to 12 for many years. 

"Everyone loved Alan," Carceller said. "He was such a great guy." 

Carceller decided to honor Chapman with a "pumpkin people" Halloween display on her Lepes Road front yard in Portsmouth.

She constructed and painted a yellow school bus herself. She then dressed up a "pumpkin person" to represent all Portsmouth students who loved Chapman. The "student" holds up the sign, "In memory of Alan; 'The best bus driver.'" 

Carceller hopes the "pumpkin people" display catches on next year. 

A resident of Tiverton for 43 years, Chapman was the husband of Lillian A. (Lachapelle) Chapman. The Chapmans had recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Alan B. Chapman was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a machinist supervisor at Reflek Corp. in Fall River for more than 20 years before working at LaSalette Shrine and later the First Student Bus Co. 

To view his full obituary, visit the Dignity Memorial webpage here. 

What do you think about the Halloween display? Tell us in the comment section below.