Harry Chichester

Harry Chichester, 84 of Bremerton passed away on May 24, 2011. He was born on July 3, 1926 in Bellingham, WA, to Fred and Faye Chichester. After graduating in 1944 from Bremerton High School, he served in the National Guard before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He had the distinction of having served in three wars: WWII, Korea, and Viet Nam. Harry retired from the Army in the 1970s after 30-years of service, attaining the rank of Sergeant Major (E-9). He was a combat infantryman and a highly decorated soldier; military awards included multiple Bronze Star medals and multiple Purple Heart medals. After military retirement, Harry worked as an electronics mechanic at the Naval Undersea Warfare Command in Keyport, until retiring in the mid-1990s. Harry was actively involved in veterans groups, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Fleet Reserve. He was an avid Ham Radio Operator (N7PNI) and spent countless volunteer hours involved with Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS); an organization of licensed Amateur Radio Operators who provide health and welfare communications support for military personnel and their loved ones. Harry was preceded in death by his parents; sister Dorothy Rawls; and brother Richard "Dick" Chichester. He will be deeply missed by his sister Mildred Lintz of Bellingham, sister-in-law Rose Chichester of Bremerton, three generations of nephews and nieces, his friends, and everyone that knew him. Especially noteworthy is the loving care Harry received in his last months from the staff at Messenger House Care Center on Bainbridge Island and Forest Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center in Bremerton. Visitation was at Miller-Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bremerton on Tuesday, May 31. A Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Bremerton. Interment was at Miller-Woodlawn Memorial Park following the funeral mass. To pay tribute to Harry Chichester, please visit www.mem.com.