Joseph R. Chessario

Joseph R. Chessario

Joseph Richard Chessario, 80, of Erie, passed away peacefully Saturday July 11, 2020 at home surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He was born in Erie on June 23, 1940, a son of the late Joseph and Jean Chessario.

Joe graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1958. He attended Gannon College where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. While at Gannon he was a founding father of the Beta Rho Chapter of the Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity. Joe was a Professional Engineer at General Electric for over 40 years. He was a member of the G.E. Elfun Society, the Icehouse Gang, and a lifetime member of the former Erie Maennerchor Club. He played American Legion Baseball in his youth and was an avid New York Yankee fan. Joe enjoyed spending time with and supporting his eight grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother John A. Chessario.

Joe is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 59 years, Theresa A. (Augustine) Chessario; his daughters, Elizabeth C. Wister (Harry) of Bensalem, PA, and Donna L. Ibach (Brad) of Bally, PA; his sons, John J. Chessario (Eva) of Hartland, WI, and Joseph C. Chessario of Erie; a brother, Richard F. Chessario (Sue) of Erie; a brother in law, Charles Augustine (Nancy) of Erie; and a sister in law, Joan Zonno of Erie. He is also survived by his grandchildren Johanna and Matthew Wister, Madeline Chessario, Victoria and Sean O'Rourke, Joseph, Nicholas, and Christopher Chessario. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Monday from 1 pm to 4 pm. Burial will be private. Memorials may be made to the National MS Society P.O. Box 91891, Washington, DC 20090-1891 (www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate).