Captain John J. Chernesky Jr. (USN Ret.)

CHERNESKY, JOHN J. JR. (Age 57)

Business Leader; Captain, USN (Ret.)

On December 13, 2001 at his home in San Pedro, CA after losing his battle with cancer. Mr. Chernesky was the Chief Operating Officer of Salick Health Care in Los Angeles. He joined the company in February 1994 as Executive Director-Operations at the Cedars Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Chernesky was Executive Director of the California Manufacturing Technology Center from 1992 to 1994 and General Manager of the Los Angeles Shipyard Corporation from 1990 to 1992.

Prior to entering the "civilian" world, Captain Chernesky served in the U.S. Navy from 1967 to 1990.

Following Officer Submarine School in New London, CT, in 1967, he headed for sea assignments as Assistant Engineer Officer and Communications Officer in USS TENCH (SS 417); Communications Officer and Engineer Officer, USS WAHOO (SS 565); Engineer Officer and Weapons, USS BLUEBACK (SS 581); and Navigator, Operations Officer and Executive Officer, USS BONEFISH (SS 582). From 1971 until 1973, he served as Flag Lieutenant and Aide to the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Two assignments took him to Washington D.C. from 1977 to 1979. He represented Submarine Warfare for the Career Planning Branch at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, and he headed Officer Retention for the Chief of Naval Operations.

Captain Chernesky was next assigned sea duty as the Executive Officer, USS DALE (CG 19), Commanding Officer, USS PATTERSON (FF 1061), and was the Recommissioning Executive Officer of USS IOWA (BB 61). From December 1985 to May 1988, Captain Chernesky served in the Office of the Chief of Legislative Affairs, Washington D.C., as Director of Navy Programs. Captain Chernesky's final and most rewarding duty came as Commanding Officer of the Battleship USS MISSOURI (BB 63) from July 1988 to June 1990.

Among his personal decorations are the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star and the Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star.

Captain Chernesky received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nautical Science and Mathmatics in 1967 from Miami University, Oxford, OH, and performed postgraduate work in Management at George Washington University in 1978.

John J. Chernesky Jr. is survived by his wife Melinda; daughter Karen, son John David, brother Tom, mother Mary and cousin Homer Simpson.

Captain Chernesky will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, January 4, 2002 at 9 a.m.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Kidney Cancer Association, c/o John J. Chernesky Jr. Foundation, 1234 Sherman Ave., Suite 203, Evanston, IL 60202 (phone 847-332-1051).