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1945 - 2021
Robert Nazarus "Chick" Chickeletti Sr., 75, of Old Forge, passed away Sunday, May 9, 2021.
Born Aug. 7, 1945, in Jenkins Twp., he was the son of the late Nazarus Chickeletti and Caroline Bodzon Chickeletti, of Duryea. He moved to Old Forge and married his sweetheart of 54 years, the former Rose Marie Grazious. He was a 1963 Northeast High School graduate and attended Kings College, where he studied biology. Robert was a United States Marine Corps veteran, where he proudly earned the Rifle Expert Badge. He was president of the Old Forge Little League for 10 years, coach of the 1981 Burger King champions, and president of the Old Forge United Recreation Association. He was a former Lions Club member and a member of the Felittese Association, where everyone enjoyed his pizza fritta.
Robert was a former employee of the United States Textile Machine Corporation, Scranton as a machinist. However, his true passion was working as a baker for 50 years. He was an avid sportsman who played industrial fast pitch and slow pitch softball, where he won the championship in 1968 and '69 for U.S. Textile; golf, where he won the U.S. Textile American Golf League Championship in 1972; and men's touch football, where he won the most valuable player award in 1973. In 1974 he was voted the most valuable player on his Agostini Bakery softball team. He was a loyal Cleveland Browns fan his whole life who wanted to see them play in just one Super Bowl; a Detroit Tigers fan where he watched Jack Morris pitch them to the 1984 World Series title; and a Detroit Pistons fan with the 1989 and '90 back-to-back champion bad boys being his favorite. He especially loved the Woody Hayes coached Ohio State Buckeyes football teams.
Robert was the ultimate chef, especially on the grill, whose specialty was a buffet of London broil, garlic bread, pepper shooters and shish kabobs. Robert enjoyed gardening, reading books, crossword puzzles, watching sports on TV, and blasting Aerosmith music for all of his neighbors to "enjoy." He was a trumpet player for many years and played it in the Northeast High School Band, where he took pleasure in writing his own music. Robert was a jack of all trades who could fix anything, had a wonderful ability to make people laugh, and possessed an unconditional love for family and friends. He enjoyed traveling to his favorite places such as Cape Cod, Lancaster, Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Ocean City, Md., and New York City.
His grandchildren were the apple of his eye. He enjoyed attending their games, dance recitals, plays and watching his granddaughter Julia earn Miss Viking. He was always very proud of their accomplishments.
In his last years, Robert faced numerous health issues and fought through them like the stubborn Marine he was without ever complaining until his last breath. Chick, as his friends affectionately called him, will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Surviving in addition to his wife are his three sons, Robert Chickeletti Jr. and wife, Theresa, of Scranton; Bruce Chickeletti and wife, Camille, of Moosic; and Ryan Chickeletti, NCC, of Old Forge; six grandchildren, Mariah Chickeletti, RN, BFN, CCRN, of Scranton; Staff Sgt. Robert Chickeletti, United States Air Force, England; Hospitalman Austin Chickeletti, United States Navy, Guam; Trista Chickeletti, of Scranton; and Julia Chickeletti and Gianna Chickeletti, both of Moosic; a sister, Caroline Ceneviva, of Hershey; a brother, Gerald Chickeletti, of Florida; a brother-in-law, Walter Kmiec Jr. and wife, Cathy, Old Forge; a sister-in-law, Jo Ann Graziano and husband, John, Old Forge; two godsons, Mark Kmiec, of Avoca; and Kevin Ceneviva, of Texas; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Policare; a brother, Raymond Chickeletti; a sister-in-law, Constance Marie Kmiec; a father-in-law, Anthony "Tabone" Grazious; and a mother-in-law, Frances "Dolly" Grazious.
In accordance with Robert's wishes, cremation was held.
Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Church (Prince of Peace Parish), 123 W. Grace St., Old Forge, to be celebrated by the Rev. August A. Ricciardi, pastor. Military honors will be rendered at the conclusion of Mass. Interment will be privately held in Old Forge Cemetery.
Please note that mask wearing and social distancing are required at the church. It is respectfully requested that those in attendance neither make direct contact with nor embrace the family. The Chickeletti family has entrusted arrangements to Ferri & Gillette Funeral Services LLC, 522 Fallon St., Old Forge. To leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Ferri & Gillette Funeral Services.
I´m so sorry to hear of Bobby´s death. I knew his family well ever since he was finishing high school. My sympathy to his wife and family.
Maureen Fiume
Family
February 9, 2022
Sending heartfelt sympathy to the Chickeletti family, and all who loved him.
Chick's legacy will live on in our hearts.
As a classmate of his, I have fond memories of early morning trumpet practice, and marching alongside him in the band.
Dream On...
J.
Jennie
May 14, 2021
I grew up one block from Chickeletti´s. Raymond and I were classmates, Robert was his big brother.Ray admired him so. He was his mentor and hero.
My memories were from grade school when Robert was in High School . He was bigger than life, outspoken and a guy you wanted on your side. He brings back nice memories.....and we were both Tigers and Pistons Fans.. May he be at peace!
Rich Rava
May 13, 2021
My sincere condolences to the Chickeletti family. I loved Chick. He treated me like I was one of his kids. Chick had a wonderful sense of humor. He told some of the stories and always had a way to make yoh laugh. I will miss you Chick. You will always be in my thoughts and memories. Rest easy my friend.
Frank Barbrie
May 13, 2021
So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. We were classmates back in Duryea. Chick always had a smile...and made you smile, too. May he rest in peace.
Sandy B.
May 13, 2021
So sorry for your loss my prayers are with you and the family. We had so much fun growing up as kids love you Antoinette
Antoinette Himlin
May 13, 2021
Sorry to hear about Bob I used to deliver you paper in the 70´s
Tim Sirko
May 13, 2021
DEAR ROB, THERESA AND FAMILY,
WE ARE SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR DAD'S PASSING. WE WILL KEEP HIM AND YOUR FAMILY IN OUR PRAYERS.
LOVE TO ALL.
MAUREEN AND ROBERT
MAUREEN AND ROBERT FLYNN
May 13, 2021
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