Ricardo Milo "Chief" Coronel

Ricardo M. "Chief" Coronel, 94, of Indian Head, Maryland passed away peacefully surrounded by his devoted family on April 5, 2025.
Chief was born the youngest of 15 children on July 28, 1930, in Paombong, Bulacan, Philippines, to Raymundo and Jacinta Domingo Coronel. In 1953, as a young man, he joined the U.S. Navy and became a proud citizen of the United States of America on November 17, 1964. While in the Navy, he traveled the world and often spoke about his time abroad in England and Portugal. He proudly served on the aircraft carriers U.S.S. Coral Sea and U.S.S. Forrestal. He retired from the U.S. Navy on October 2, 1972 at Indian Head Naval Ordnance Station upon completing a distinguished 20-year career and attaining the coveted rank of Chief Petty Officer. Immediately following his Naval retirement, he joined the Uniformed Division of the U.S. Capitol Police where he continued to serve his country for 20 additional years before retiring on September 1, 1992. After his second retirement, Chief joined the Protective Service at the U.S. Department of Justice where he worked until 2002. Throughout his military and civil service careers, Chief worked tirelessly at everything he did, mentored dozens of young men and women, and built lasting and meaningful relationships.
In 1964, Chief met his future bride Patricia Ann Edwards at a Filipino-American Dance in Baltimore, Maryland. They were married on December 18, 1965, at Bowling AFB in Washington, D.C. and continued to grow their family raising three daughters.
Chief was a force of nature, dedicated to working hard and determined to provide for his family. He was passionate about the English language and was a prolific speller. He was also a talented athlete who loved a good competition. Chief was an award-winning tennis player, a ferocious runner, a fierce volleyball player – and diehard fan of the Baltimore Colts and Baltimore Orioles. He also loved sports cars, namely Corvettes. He enjoyed summer vacations with family and friends at the Flamingo Motel in Ocean City, Maryland, and the infamous annual Brous July 4th cookout.
Anyone who had the distinct experience of knowing Chief realized he was a stern but loving husband and father and the world's greatest grandfather.. Chief is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years Patricia, his three daughters Kimberly Coronel, Melissa Meiser, and Susan Coronel, and five grandchildren: Mia Meiser, USMC Corporal Alexander Orben, Madison Meiser, Mackenzie Meiser, and Maximus Meiser.
The Coronel family will receive family and friends on Tuesday April 15, 2025 from 11:00AM to time of Mass at 12:00PM at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 30 Mattingly Ave, Indian Head, MD 20640. Burial at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Chief's honor and memory to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society https://www.nmcrs.org