News  Wayne Chase Retires After More Than a Half Century of Service to Clients, Fathers, the Courts, and Community

Orleans District Court Chief R. Wayne Chase first joined the Massachusetts Probation Service 51 years ago and is retiring—effective Friday, August 29th— after positively impacting the lives of hundreds including the 300 fathers who participated in the Barnstable County Fatherhood Program which is believed to be the longest running Fatherhood Program in the state.

Chief Chase expressed a desire to retire without fanfare. He said, “It has been an amazing journey for me. I will miss the Orleans Court family along with the all the professionals—both in the public and private sector—that I have had the pleasure of working with. I followed my calling, my vocation, and am pleased to have served the families and communities of Cape Cod to the best of my ability. I am very grateful for my career and for working with an incredible organization of professionals. However, I prefer to be ‘low-profile’ and just ride out on my motorcycle without any fireworks, flags, or parade. As I watched the Little League World Series recently, I noticed an interview with a 12-year-old from Aruba who was asked “what is your dream job” and he answered ‘retirement.’” It took this as a sign for me to enjoy my plans in retirement.”

An Orleans District Court Probation employee for his entire career, Chief Chase was first hired as a Probation Officer at the court on July 19, 1974. He was promoted to Assistant Chief at the court in 2013 and named Chief Probation Officer in April 2022. In addition to his work with MPS, Chief Chase—a master carpenter—volunteered on weekends to build affordable housing on Cape Cod for Habitat for Humanity.

A father he once counseled, Orleans District First Justice Robert Welsh, and Habitat for Humanity President and CEO Wendy Cullinan share their well-wishes to Chief Chase below.

One father recalled Chief Chase’s influence on him:

“Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. In life we all have people that enter our life’s journey at a time when we need them most. Looking back now, Wayne is one of those special people in my life. At a time when my world was falling apart around me through divorce and the unexpected tragic loss of my eldest son, I found myself in Wayne’s office. He was very straight forward with my responsibilities that I needed to follow to stay in compliance with my probation. He inquired about how I was holding up and how my other two boys were doing. In subsequent check-ins, he recommended that I consider joining the fatherhood program, which at the time I was hesitant because being a good father was the one stable part of my life. We talked about it and eventually I agreed to participate. Through his guidance and knowing the potential of how the fatherhood program could make positive changes to my clouded life, he provided the tools I needed to see the brightness around me that was veiled by the tragedy and loss I felt,” said Stephan B.

He added, “Wayne often talked about the legacy that we all will leave behind. Part of Wayne’s legacy will live on through me as he has inspired me to help with the Fatherhood Program in whatever capacity that I can, to help other fathers become better fathers themselves. I am more at peace with myself than I have ever been in my life and I owe a lot of that to Wayne through his compassion and mentorship and promoting the positive aspects in my life that I was struggling to see. I am sure Wayne will be greatly missed but his leadership, impact and legacy will carry on with those he has helped along the way. I hope his transition to retirement provides him well deserved relaxation, happiness and joy. Thank you Wayne!”

Probation Commissioner Pamerson Ifill:

“The Executive Team and I wish to thank you for your more than 50 years of service to MPS, clients, courts, and the Cape Cod community. Your legacy of kindness and dedication to helping others will live on through the Fatherhood Program.”

Orleans District Court First Justice Robert A Welsh III:

“Probation is about believing in a person’s potential. Thank you for your life of service providing a steady hand and guiding second chances.”

Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod President & CEO Wendy Cullinan:

“Wayne Chase has given countless hours in service to Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod, and his leadership in bringing volunteer teams from the Orleans District Court has been an inspiration to all of us. Through his passion and dedication, Wayne has helped build far more than houses—he has strengthened our community and touched countless lives.”