November 13, 2023
Cherbourg residents are mourning the shock loss of local radio announcer Harold Chapman Jr, aka “Big Chance”, who died on Sunday.
Uncle Harold was a popular announcer on Us Mob Cherbourg Radio, doing afternoon and evening shifts plus the Gospel Show on Sunday morning alongside Pastor Max Conlon.
Former station manager Aunty Jeanette Brown said Uncle Harold’s involvement with the station dated back more than two decades.
“He will be sadly missed by his many listeners, both in Cherbourg and beyond,” Aunty Jeanette said.
His sudden death from natural causes has shocked his workmates at the radio station, who were in mourning on Monday.
They first realised something must be wrong when he failed to turn up to his Sunday shift.
Uncle Harold leaves behind three adult sons, Desmond, Michael and Brandon, as well as many grandchildren, including well-known boxer Pharrell Chapman.
His wife, Doreen, died in 2019.
Uncle Harold was also a popular singer, performing solo and with local bands including Deadly Wayz and Muddy Flats.
He had recently formed another Cherbourg-based band to fill the gap caused by the loss in recent years of so many original Muddy Flats members.
“He really loved his music,” Aunty Jeanette said.
“Harold Chapman Jnr was also co-writer of ‘Cherbourg That’s My Home’, with his buddy musician, the late Rocko Langton, who passed away on November 30, 2022.”
