Ellio J. Chiacchio

Ellio J. Chiacchio
August 30, 1935 - April 5, 2025
It is with profound sadness that the family of Ellio J. Chiacchio announces his passing on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Ellio was born to Emidio and Josephine (nee: Grasso) Chiacchio of Penns Grove, NJ on August 30, 1935. Ellio spent his entire life living in Penns Grove, a pillar of his community, and was deeply proud of his hometown. He was a 1954 graduate of Penns Grove Regional High School where he excelled in football, basketball and track receiving eleven Varsity letters. Because of these accolades, he was inducted into the PGHS Hall of Fame. As a young boy, Ellio held many jobs---working in the farm fields of Salem County, Richman's Ice Cream in Woodstown, and Riverview Beach Park in Pennsville. He began his career as an insulator for 37 years at Chamber's Works, DuPont. While holding his job at DuPont, there were years when he worked part-time selling memorial gravestones, owning gumball machines throughout area stores, and working at Priolo's Bakery in Penns Grove.
He was a devoted man who provided for his family making sure they enjoyed vacations and weekends at the Jersey shore, especially Atlantic City, Wildwood and Cape May. Ellio appreciated and loved the ocean where he found tranquility and surfed the ocean waves with ease. He and Jean favored the special campground spots of Hidden Acres and Seashore Campsites. Bingo and the casino were weekly trips for Ellio where he and Jean had fun and looked forward to seeing their steady friends. Ellio was a longtime member of the Washington Club, a community volunteer serving his church, Penns Grove Little League and Penns Grove Midget Football Association. He was a coach and a mentor to many young athletes. Ellio was a grandfather and great-grandfather who could be seen tirelessly frequenting every imaginable function in which they were involved. He supported his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the highest limit.
Ellio was predeceased by his devout brother, Mario (Nancy) Chiacchio. Ellio is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Jeanne G. (Brown) Chiacchio; his son, Stephen Chiacchio (Sharon), his two daughters, Sheryl Leoni (Joseph) and Sharlene Caldwell (Robert); nine grandchildren whom he idolized dearly: Joseph Leoni, Stephen Chiacchio, Jr. (Nicole), Summer Strawbridge (Eric), Ralph Fisher (Melanie), Stephanie Hall (Anthony), Jeffrey Leoni (Destiny), Nicole Bright (Thomas), Erica Caldwell and Shawn Caldwell (Bree); 16 great-grandchildren whom he also passionately adored: Anthony, Aubrey, Emelina, Briella, Kaylee, Alayna, Elliana, Skylar, Eli, Neko, Brynlee, CJ, Geo, Maddie, Daxton, Atlas and a baby on the way to be named Vincent Ellio, along with an abundance of nieces, nephews, family members and faithful friends.
We will love him forever and ever and promise to keep his Legacy alive through us all.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Gabriel the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 369 Georgetown Road, Carneys Point, NJ 08069 on Monday, April 14, 2025. A memorial visitation will be held 10 AM-11AM with a mass being celebrated at 11AM. Burial is private at the convenience of the family.