James M. Chieffi

James M. Chieffi, 63, James M. Chieffi ("Chieffi" or "Chi Chi"), 63, went home to be with his sons, Matthew and Jimmy, on Monday, September 10, 2012. He passed away suddenly from a heart attack at his home in Ocean View, Delaware. Chieffi was born in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 26,1948, to the late Maryann Chieffi Bernardo and Angelo J. Chieffi. He graduated from P.S. DuPont High School in 1966, and between 1968 and 1969 served his country honorably in the U.S. Army infantry during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. Chieffi retired in 2008 from Sunoco's Marcus Hook refinery where he had worked as a maintenance machinist and shop steward since 1981. Prior to that he worked at Phoenix Steel, where he earned his apprenticeship as a machinist after returning home from the Vietnam War. He was an active and loyal member of the United Steelworkers Union Local 10-901. Chieffi was larger than life. His personality was a gift not only to himself, but to anyone who met him. He positively touched many people's lives in his short 63 years, and he will be sadly missed by everyone who ever knew him. He was always there to help a friend or family member in need; he would do anything for the people he cared for. Whatever Chieffi did, he did with vibrancy, humor, and 100% of himself. His love for softball and football spanned his entire life, whether it was playing for the St. Anthony's Club in New Castle or cheering on his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the life of any party, whether it was his jokes, his loud wisecracks and laugh, or his unbelievable moves on the dance floor. In retirement, Chieffi loved spending time with his wife, Johann, at their home in Ocean View. They rode motorcycles together and enjoyed weekend bike runs, spontaneous rides on sunny days, as well as their annual trip to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. They often spent time with friends at the VFW Quillens Point 7234 and the American Legion Post #19. Chieffi is looking down on us and smiling. His hair is red again, he's wearing a new pair of Converse Chuck Taylors, has a Bacardi and Pepsi with fresh ice in one hand, and is saying, "How you like me now?" Chieffi was preceded in death by his parents, Maryann and Angelo Chieffi, and two sons, Matthew and Jimmy. Survivors: his loving wife of 15 years, Johann; three daughters, Brandy and her husband Bill, Marihelen DiMatteo Rosenthal and husband Daniel, and Melissa "Missy" Biddle; two grandchildren, Vincent and Dora, and a host of family and friends. Visitation: Friday, September 14, 2012 from 9AM until 12 Noon at the Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Rd., Garnet Valley, PA followed by services at 12 noon. Interment: Private. Contributions: Donation may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Online condolences: www.paganofuneralhome.com