Chellis Chave Jr.

SKANEATELES < Chellis Chave Jr., of Sennett, formerly of Skaneateles, passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2008, after a long battle with lung disease. He was born June 21, 1921, in Marcellus, attended the one-room school in Clintonville and graduated from Skaneateles High School. He enlisted in the Army after 1942, and served in Gen. Omar M. Bradley"s First Army during World War II. After discharge, Chellis joined a work study program at Brewer Titchener Corp. in Cortland. There he served the required three years as journeyman before becoming a certified toolmaker. Later Chellis worked in various capacities < as a technician, metallurgist and toolmaker in the College of Engineering at Syracuse University, from which he retired in 1982. In 1946, he married the former Louise Bishop, a union which lasted nearly 62 years. Seven children were born to the couple, two of whom, John and Chris, predeceased him. In addition to his wife, Louise, Chellis is survived by a daughter, Mary Lou Keenan, of Edgewater, Fla.; four sons, Daniel, of Willistown, Vt., Richard, of Jamesville, Gregory, of Cortland and Dr. George, of Arlington, Texas. Also surviving is a nephew, four nieces; and 14 grandchildren, Chris Hannan, Mike Keenan, Sarah Stevens, Connie, Leslie, Andrew, Laura and Tim, Ian and Bishop Chave, Daniel, Benjamin and Mary Lovell, and Rebekah Spink; and six great-grandchildren. In retirement, Chellis operated a small pony farm and was often seen driving his ponies on country roads, in local parades and the New York State Fair. He also built wooden pony carts and carriages and repaired wheels and related antique vehicles which had fallen into disrepair. He was a former member of the Skaneateles Methodist Church, an honorary member of the Skaneateles Rod & Gun Club, the Cayuga Cut-Ups Dance Club, and the NYS Draft Pony Association. He was also a member of the Central NY Bluegrass Association. To honor his wishes, there are no services planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606; or the American Lung Association. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.