Sunapee, New Hampshire
Jul 1, 1937 – Aug 3, 2023
Joseph John Chiarella
Sunapee, NH - Joseph John Chiarella died on August 3, 2023 in New London, New Hampshire, at the age of 86, with his family by his side. John was born on July 1, 1937 in Newburgh, New York. He grew up in Fort Montgomery, New York, in the Hudson River Valley. John took over his father's General Motors Dealership and ran it until the mid-70's, enjoying a close affiliation with the nearby West Point Military Academy.
John married his wife, Dona, in 1953, who predeceased him in 2012 after 60 years of marriage. John, Dona and their four children spent summers on Lake Sunapee, in the home they built in 1960 on Birch Point. Upon moving to New Hampshire full time, they spent a number of happy years at their Snowbound Farm in Springfield, New Hampshire. They eventually moved to what the family fondly called "the Brick House" on Garnet Hill Road on Lake Sunapee, later building a new home on Harbor Hill in Sunapee, where John resided until his death.
John and Dona spent many years as members of the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club, with John serving as Commodore of the Club in the 1980s, with Dona at his side. John was an avid sailor, racing Star Class sailboats on Lake Sunapee and at regattas held from Miami to Toronto. John eventually became the Commodore of the International Star Class Yacht Racing Association, a position he held until his death.
John became a Realtor for his remaining years with various real estate agencies in the Sunapee – New London area. John was also involved in many local organizations, the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHAD) being especially close to his heart. He served on the CHAD Board for 12 years, organizing a very successful week-long fund raising sailing regatta on Lake Sunapee.
John's family members and many friends who knew him well, will attest to his unlimited love and loyalty, his passion for sailing and his community, and his unquenchable zest for life. All who knew him would also attest to his unending persistence in all his endeavors.
John is survived by his children, Michael (Susan) of Springfield, N.H., Tamara of Boscawen, N.H., Taryn (Robert Anthonyson) of New London, N.H., and John (Maureen) of Springfield, N.H. He is survived by his grandchildren, Michael Hannon (Torie Mesropian) of Windsor, VT and Sonya (Brandon Kovlar) of Springfield, N.H., and great-grandchildren, Cameron Hannon and Oliver Kovlar. And being a true animal lover, he had many dogs and grand dogs that he loved over the years.
Calling hours are scheduled for Friday, August 11th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Chadwick Funeral Home, 235 Main Street, New London, New Hampshire. A funeral is scheduled for Saturday, August 12th at 10:00am at Saint Andrews Episcopal Church in New London with a reception following at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to CHAD at Dartmouth, Lake Sunapee Region VNA, the Upper Valley Humane Society, or to a charity of your choice. To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.chadwickfuneralservice.com.
There is not a day I go out on Sunapee that I dont think of John. I talk to my kids about him and how he was a lifelong friend of my father and mother in NY. And a friend to me for the past 25 years. He had a distinct and soothing voice and gave the real estate business an honest and ethical reputation. He is missed every day. He was a great person and I was lucky to know him.
Rich Dyroff
July 31, 2024 | Friend
On behalf of my wife (Fran) and I, we wish to extend deepest sympathies to John's Family. I've known John for 57 years, having raced Stars against him on Sunapee, Key Biscayne and various other Lake and Ocean venues. John was always the Gentleman and good friend, always willing to help fellow Star Sailors with lodging and needed assistance. I and the entire Star Class will miss you John.
May you be with your beloved wife and your personal Savior in Heaven for eternity.
Gary MacDonald
September 05, 2023 | Winthrop, MA | Friend
Taryn & Bob, I am profoundly sorry at you r loss. Phil Cooper
Phil Cooper
August 15, 2023 | Moultonborough, NH | Friend
I enjoyed taking to John about his sailing days in Marblehead where I lived
Skip Hause
August 11, 2023 | Sunapee, NH | Friend
I will always remember you John you were a shining star. Nancy Duseau
Nancy Duseau
August 09, 2023 | Friend
So sorry to hear of John’s passing, may he rest in peace and now be with his beloved Dona, he willl be missed by so many. My condolences to his family
Brenda Williams
August 08, 2023 | Croydon, NH | Coworker
On behalf of the West Point Class of 1970, condolences to Joseph´s family and sincere gratitude for the kind and honest service provided to our members during their purchase of GM automobiles before graduation, with an additional note that there is a number of our class that still proudly own and drive their 1970 cars that they purchased from A&C Chevrolet.
Frank Monaco
August 08, 2023
John was a good friend to the Milne family. He served the area as Springfield selectman, was a proponent of sailing on the waters of Lake Sunapee and volunteered his time and energy for worthwhile local causes, especially those aimed at helping those without a voice. John's four "children" reflect his Dona's generosity, gentle kindness and humor. We will miss him.
Dale Milne
August 07, 2023 | Springfield, NH | Friend
My family was so saddened to hear the news of John's passing. My parents Anne and Ernest Comeau thought the world of John and would often remark upon how much he did for the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club as I was growing up. He was the realtor for sellers of the home my husband and I purchased in 2004 on Lake Sunapee. He graciously attended our two daughter's weddings at LSYC in 2014. When we think of him, we remember his kind and congenial manner and how dedicated he was to his family, friends...
Arlene & Richard Palmieri
August 07, 2023 | Friend
