Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Rocco Chirieleison Obituary
Dr. Rocco F. Chirieleison, 71, Exeter Township, died Sept. 30, 2010, at 11:58 a.m., surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Juanita (Saitta) Chirieleison.
Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Frank and Bessie (Bodanza) Chirieleison.
He was a graduate of Reading High School, Albright College and Temple University Medical School. While at Temple Medical School, he graduated with honors in the Alpha Omega Alpha Society and won the Thomas Durant award in Internal Medicine.
Dr. Chirieleison practiced Internal Medicine at the Reading Hospital from 1971 until retiring in 2001. He was then on the honorary medical staff.
He was a member of the Berks County and Pennsylvania Medical Societies and the Victor Emmanuel II Society. He was also a member of St. Catherine of Siena RCC.
He served as president of the Berks County Medical Society, president of the medical staff at Reading Hospital, and was a member of the Executive Council of Reading Hospital and numerous other hospital committees.
He was awarded the American Italian Citizenship Award "Man of the Year" in 1988 and "Community Leader of the Year" by the Arthritis Foundation in 1996.
He was a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, stationed at Travis AFB in California, from 1966 to 1968.
In addition to his wife, Rocco is survived by his sons, F. Christopher and his wife, Andrea, Asheville, N.C.; and Michael R. and his wife, Amy, Camp Hill; and five grandchildren: Rocco, Christian, Andrew, Nicholas, and Sienna.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Catherine of Siena RCC, 4975 Boyertown Pike, Exeter Township. Interment will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Reading Hospital Development Fund for "Dr. Chirieleison Blue Coat Programs," c/o The Reading Hospital, West Reading, PA 19611 or St. Catherine of Siena RCC, 2427 Perkiomen Ave., Reading, PA 19606.
Henninger Funeral Home Inc., Reading, is in charge of arrangements. www.henningerfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rocco Chirieleison
Jason Spangler
March 6, 2022
Dr. Chirieleison was my childhood neighbor and my best friend´s father. He was like my second dad and I always remembered going out on his boat with Mike ,his son. My heart truly goes out to his wonderful Italian family....Love , Jason
Richard Danilowicz
October 5, 2010
"To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven." May God grant Dr. Chirieleison all the joys of eternal life. Richard Danilowicz Douglassville, PA. Long time patient and Reading High School classmate.
Liz Symons, RN
October 4, 2010
My deepest sympathies to the Chirieleison family. Rocky was one of my favorite doctors, and a great teacher when I was a oung nurse at RHMC. He will be missed.
Teresa Huskey
October 4, 2010
I did not have the honor of knowing Dr. Chirieleison, but I know his son Mike, who is a living legacy of hope, love and compassion -- no doubt passed down from his loving father. May God grant you peace in your loss.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Jessica Walb
October 4, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Juanita and the rest of Dr. Chirieleison's family. God Bless. Jessica Walb and staff of Chester Perfetto Agency.
Sebastian Sottosanti
October 4, 2010
Our most deepest sympathies are shared with Rocky's family. He was there for us 8 years ago this week with kind words and a heavy heart after the untimely death of my father. He was a kind hearted man who will be greatly missed.
Sebastian Sottosanti and Family
Donna&Dennis Keely
October 3, 2010
To the Chirieleison Family.
With our deepest sympathy.Rocky was our dearest friend and part of our family.We will truly miss his kind smile and his warm heart.Our prayers go out to all of you.
October 3, 2010
To The Chirieleison Family,
We were so saddened and shocked to read of Dr. Chirieleison's passing. He was our doctor for many years. He was always so professional,kind,and caring. We actually enjoyed all of our visits with him and missed him when he retired. Sending our sincere sympathy.
John and Gerry Rochowicz, Clermont FLA
Kathy McKechnie Knutson
October 3, 2010
My sincere sympathy to all of the Family.
I was a nurse at The Reading Hospital who worked with Dr Chirieleison and he was also my mother's physician. He was an excellent physician and a very caring person.
Linda Gehris
October 3, 2010
To the family of Rocky - I worked in nursing at Reading Hospital for many years and knew Rocky. He will be greatly missed by the professional staff at Reading Hospital. He will always be remembered as a "one of a kind" doctor and friend and will be missed by all who he has touched. There will never be another doctor like Rocky. Linda Gehris
October 3, 2010
Please accept my condolences to everyone.Mr.&Mrs Dominic T.Pezzino
Kathy May
October 3, 2010
Dear Juanita and family,
It was truely an honor to call Rocky my friend. Rocky was the finest example of a "gentleman" that I have ever known. He will be missed for his quiet ways and his never ending "charm".
Rest in peace my friend -
Love - Kathy
Patti Shuttlesworth
October 2, 2010
To the Chirieleison Family,
Please know that all of us that loved Rocky grieve with you now. He was a great guy that always had a warm smile and a kind heart. He cared deeply for his family and was extremely proud of all of you. May you feel the love and support surrounding you as you celebrate the life of a man that meant so much to so many people. Our prayers are with you.
Ann Claire McNish
October 2, 2010
Dearest Juanita,
We've known you for two short years, yet in that time we have come to love you and your most wonderful husband. His warmth and kindness will be profoundly missed. Our prayers are with you today and always,
Love, The McNish Family
October 2, 2010
God Bless,you will be missed by all.
Ron D'Agostino
Janet Innis
October 2, 2010
Dear Chirieleison Family,
Words cannot express the sadness I feel at Rocky's passing. He was a wonderful friend, and I will never forget his good humor and kindness and generosity. May it console you to know he will be missed by so many people who knew and loved him.
Janet Innis
October 2, 2010
Many memories working together.
Peace, Rocky................ a friend
Mark Wolfe
October 2, 2010
Dear Chirieleison Family,
My deepest sympathy for your loss. My parents, Phil and Joanne, are in Vienna visiting their daughter and family. Rocky meant a great deal to dad who was truly blessed to have Rocky as his friend. I personally enjoyed many lobster dinners with Rocky at the Fishpond. May his caring spirit continue in all of us.
All our love,
Mark Wolfe and family
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results
Make a Donation
in Rocco Chirieleison's name
Memorial Events
for Rocco Chirieleison
People and places connected with Rocco
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Rocco's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Rocco Chirieleison's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
