Memorial for Alexander James Chalko, DDS
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Born in Whiting, IN on Sep. 22, 1923
Departed on Apr. 4, 2016 and resided in Cromwell, CT.
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| Visitation: |
Friday, Apr. 8, 2016
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
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Friday, Apr. 8, 2016
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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| Service: |
Saturday, Apr. 9, 2016
10:00 am
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| Cemetery: |
Pine Grove Cemetery
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Alexander James Chalko, DDS, 92, of Juno Beach, Florida and Cromwell, Connecticut died April 4, 2016 at the Hospice of Palm Beach County in Jupiter, FL in the company of family. He was born in Whiting, Indiana to Alexander and Elizabeth (Stanchik) Chalko, the oldest of five children.
As a young man, he and his brother Edward worked at a local gas station. He graduated from George Rogers Clark High School in Hammond, IN and Indiana University, receiving a DDS degree from the School of Dentistry. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. While in the Navy, he met Virginia "Jean" Napoli, a Navy nurse. They married in 1947 and moved to her hometown of Middletown, CT and in 1955, with their young children, to neighboring Cromwell, CT. Dr. Chalko established a general dentistry practice on College Street in Middletown. With his wife's sister, Anna Napoli, as his receptionist, he served patients for over 40 years.
He was a former member of the Middlesex Memorial Hospital professional staff and the Rotary Club of Cromwell. He was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Juno Beach, FL and St. John Church of Cromwell, CT.
Dr. Chalko and his wife enjoyed visiting his family in Indiana and vacationing in Florida, where they eventually purchased a home in Juno Beach. Among other pursuits, Dr. Chalko liked golfing, traveling, gardening and following sports, especially the Chicago Cubs and UConn basketball.
In his later years, Dr. Chalko remained engaged, keeping in touch with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren through emails and family gatherings. He also listened to several audio books each week. Throughout, he entertained all with his easy going manner and terrific sense of humor.
He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Virginia, his brother, Edward W. Chalko, his granddaughter, Lillian Chalko and his sister-in-law Anna Napoli.
He is survived by his daughter Elizabeth "Betty Jo" Hannigan and her husband Michael of Rye, NY and their children Michael (and his wife Lauretta), Liza, Kelly (and her husband Patrick Cullan), Brian, James and Megan; son Dr. Alexander "Lex" Chalko and his wife, Susan of Brentwood, TN and their daughters Christina (and her husband Rob Del Riego) and Caroline; and son Dr. Charles Chalko and his wife, Irene Keeley of Hingham, MA and their daughter Emily; and by his great-grandchildren Sophie and Michael Hannigan and Patrick and Keira Cullan.
He is also survived by his sisters, Rosalyn Swiercz of Lafayette, IN and Geraldine (and her husband Joe Heintz) of Schererville, IN, his brother Gerald Chalko of Highland, IN and his sister-in-law, Mary Chalko of Gary, IN and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 9 at 9:00 a.m. from the Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main Street, Cromwell followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Church, 5 St. John Court, Cromwell. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery in Middletown where full military honors will be accorded.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday afternoon from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and in lieu of flowers, may make donations in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or a charity of their choosing. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.
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This Memorial Obituary provided by
Cromwell Funeral Home
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