December 9, 2019
League Mourns Mayor Chuck Chiarello’s Passing, NJLM Past President
NJLM Past President Francis Charles “Chuck” Chiarello, 64, Mayor of Buena Vista, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2019 in Atlantic City surrounded by his family and friends.
Chiarello began his service in Buena Vista Township as a committeeman 28 years ago and was elected Mayor of the Atlantic County municipality 23 years ago. Throughout the years he worked on various committees to benefit the community, including the Milmay Volunteer Fire Co., where he had served as firefighter and secretary.
On the state level, Chiarello was a tireless advocate for local government. He served as president of the NJ State League of Municipalities in 2011 and was an active past president, frequently contributing as an author and speaker for the League as well as a member of several of the organization’s committees. He was the Past President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and Chairman of the Atlantic County Democratic Committee from 1998-2004. He was also a member of the Atlantic County Mayors Association serving a 2-year term as President.
Chiarello was born in New York City to the late Francis D. and Blanche (Liebman) Chiarello before moving to Atlantic City. He was predeceased by his younger brother Francis Dominick, in 1965. He attended grammar school at Friends School in Atlantic City, and was a graduate of Holy Spirit High School in Absecon. He went on to earn a B.S. from Richard Stockton College, Pomona. His education continued with the Human Resource Development Institute / Fairleigh Dickenson University, Certified Public Manager, Rutgers University Government Studies, and Atlantic County Fire School. Chiarello was a self-employed sales rep for 28 years.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Cheryl (DeRosa) Chiarello; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lois and Stanley Kotova; nephew and nieces Stanley M. and Daria, Brandi and Bill Dittus; great nieces and nephews Alexander and Nicholas Kotova, and Zachary and Gabrielle Dittus. Chiarello also leaves behind his beloved animal friends, dog Noah, and cat Jerry.
“Chuck Chiarello was a great friend to the League,” noted NJLM Executive Director Michael J. Darcy, CAE, “we are grateful for his many years of service and deeply mourn his passing. We send our condolences to his family and community, Chuck will be remembered and missed.”
A visitation will be held on Saturday December 14, from 11am to 2pm, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM from Rone Funeral Service, Vineland. Final disposition will be private. Arrangements are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360.
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