Ralph Chimelis Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ralph Chimelis 1913 - 2010 HOLYOKE - Ralph Chimelis, 96, died Monday, March 1, 2010 at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke. He was born in Ciales, Puerto Rico on March 11, 1913 to the late Ramon and Isabel (Santana) Chimelis. Ralph�received a Bachelors Degree in General Education from the University of Omaha, he�received a Masters�of Arts Degree in Spanish from UMass. Ralph continued his studies at the University of Madrid where he received a Diploma in Spanish Culture. Mr. Chimelis served our country in the United States Air Force where he attained the rank Chief Warrant Officer 4th Class and retired after twenty-six years of service. While in the military, Ralph earned the following commendations; the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Euro-African-Middle Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After retiring from the Air Force, Ralph worked as a Professor teaching Spanish and Spanish Literature at Western New England College until 1983. During his time at Western New England College, Ralph founded the Spanish Department in 1969 and was awarded the Professor Emeritus in 2007. Ralph also spent some time teaching Spanish at St. Hyacinth Seminary in Granby, MA. His hobbies included playing chess and gardening. Ralph was predeceased by his loving wife, Florence (Berlin) on October 28, 2006, after sixty-three years of marriage. He leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Ron Chimelis and his wife Laura of Chicopee; his daughter, Evelyn Leeper and her husband Mark of Old Bridge, N.J.; his brother, Vincente Chimelis and his wife Evie of FL; his two sisters, Anita Smith and her husband Norm of Southampton and Juanita Rodriguez of FL and his granddaughter, Ashley Iona Mae Chimelis. Ralph will also be sadly missed by several brothers, sisters and many extended family members in Puerto Rico. A funeral procession will form on Monday, March 8, 2010 at 8:45 a.m. at the Brunelle Funeral Home, 811 Chicopee St., Chicopee. A Committal Service will follow at 10:00 a.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Main St., Agawam. Calling hours will be Sunday, March 7 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ralph's memory, to the Professor Ralph Chimelis and Mrs. Florence B. Chimelis Endowed Scholarship, c/o Western New England College Advancement Division, 1215 Wilbraham Rd., Springfield, MA, 01119.

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Ralph Chimelis

March 11, 1913 - March 1, 2010