Obituary of George E. Chenail

George E. Chenail, of 82 Maple Court, Danielson, formerly of Old Saybrook, CT died February 17, 2010 at home. He was born February 22, 1923 in Wauregan, CT, the oldest of six children of George S. and Cora (Baril) Chenail, who predeceased him. He attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Plainfield High School, Class of 1941. George was a veteran of WWII, where he proudly served as a Radio-Gunner on B-24's with the Wendling Liberators Bomb Group of the 8th Army Air Corps in Wendling England. He earned an Air Medal, 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, and 3 Battle Stars for meritorious achievement in combat over Europe, and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was employed in the Electrical Design Department of Electric Boat for over 40 years, George retired in 1993. He served briefly as Chief of West Wauregan Fire Department and was Chief of Atwood Hose Fire Department from 1956 to 1963. Formerly a very athletic man, he played 1st Base on the Wauregan Tigers Baseball Team in the late 1940's and enjoyed skiing, tennis and golf. He was an avid fan of the UCONN Basketball and NY Yankees Baseball. During his retirement, George served as a volunteer dispatcher for the Old Saybrook Police Department and was a starter at Fenwick Golf Course. He was a former member of the Westbrook, CT BPOE and a former communicant of St John's Roman Catholic Church in Old Saybrook. George is survived by his daughter, Olive Blevins of Danielson, his grandchildren: Jim Blevins, Mary Jane LaRose and her husband Ernie LaRose and his daughters Andrea and Kathryn, and great granddaughter Nicole LaRose. He is also survived by step-children Tim Ladd and his wife Marie of Mattapoisett, MA; Jeff Ladd and his wife Terri Ann of Rhode Island; Ann Ladd Creviston and her husband John of Guilderland, NY; six step-grandchildren to whom he was known as "POP GEORGE", his brothers Richard Chenail and Gerald Chenail of Moosup, CT and his sister Rachel Chenail Silva of San Ramon, CA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and several cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Corinne (Deloge) Chenail, his son, Michael A Chenail, his second wife Bernice Walker Ladd-Chenail and his sisters, Olive F. Chenail and Jane Chenail Prairie. The Funeral will be Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 9:30 AM from the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds Street, Danielson, followed by an 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial in ST James Church, 12 Franklin Street, Danielson with Military Honors. Calling hours Friday, February 19, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory to the Homes for Our Troops, 6 Main Street, Taunton, MA 02780; Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund, 864 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford, CT 06114-3184 or Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 C Skinner Pkwy, Ste 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256. To share a memory with his family, "Light a Candle" at www.gagnonandcostellofh.com