Richard Chessario

Richard Chessario

Richard Chessario was born April 11, 1947 in Erie, PA where he spent his life involved in the community. He was 76 years old when he suddenly got sick and his doctors discovered that he had advanced pancreatic cancer. He spent several weeks in hospice care and throughout his short battle, he was surrounded by his loving family. He kept his sense of humor through it all and his jokes kept his family smiling through their tears until his passing on May 20, 2023.

Rich's first love was his family, but he also loved Erie and has stories about most parts of the city. He worked at GE for 40 years until retirement in 2007. When his children were born he made them his top priority, showing up to every field trip, game and event. He coached his son's baseball team. Rich was a lifelong member of the Siebenbuerger Club. After he retired from GE, he did everything with his wife, Sue. Rich and Sue traveled to see their children and grandchildren often. When they remained in Erie, they spent time feeding ducks at Dobbins Landing, taking long car rides, and attending car shows.

He will join his family with God including his mother Jean Gadjenski Chessario Law, his father, Joseph A. Chessario and his two brothers, Joseph and John Chessario.

He is survived by his wife and best friend of over 50 years, Susan (Karle) Chessario. He has two children, a daughter Karianne Chessario (Nicholas Reitz) of State College, PA and a son Richard Chessario (Pegah Safaeian) of Kirkland, WA. He has five grandchildren: Lillian, Julianna, Amelia, Donya and Roxana. He spent time with them, took them to the zoo, tickled them and watched hours of children's shows with them to make them happy. His grandchildren loved his joking and fun-loving nature and gave him the nickname, Bebuts. He is also survived by brothers and sisters in law including Theresa Chessario as well as many nieces and nephews.

He will be deeply missed by all for his strength, sense of humor, his dependability and his love.

Friends are invited to call on Wednesday at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and may attend a Funeral Mass on Thursday at Sacred Heart Church, 816 West 26th Street, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be private at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 189, Box Elder, SD 57719 or to the Erie Humane Society, 2407 Zimmerly Rd., Erie, PA 16506.