Harold C. Chichester

BRIDGEWATER-  Harold “Chick” Chichester, devoted husband of 67 years to Barbara Chichester and beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away Sunday, December 24 in Bridgewater, New Jersey after celebrating his landmark 90th birthday with his loving family.

A voracious reader, scholar of all religions, avid golfer and billiards player, and passionate Rutgers football fan, Harold took most pride in his children Glen, Rob, and Annie, as well as grandchildren Shaun, Ryan, Keith, Kyle, Travis, Michael, Anthony, Amanda, and Julia. Harold dedicated endless time to his nine grandkids and great granddaughter Shaniyah, organizing countless fishing or Broadway trips and showing up regularly to their sporting events.

Relentlessly generous and an inspiring motivator, Harold spent his life introducing his loved ones to all that life had to offer, enrolling his grandchildren into various classes and courses in sports, art, and music to help find their calling.

Harold’s devotion to those he loved began as a teenager, when he left high school to take over the family painting business to support his mother, Florence Mackie, and his sister June, when his father Harold became ill. Still, he earned his GED taking classes in the Army after being drafted, in what he said was the best thing to ever happen to him. Chick served from 1956-1958, earning Soldier of the Month Award at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York in 1957.

His family devotion continued in the decades that followed, remaining a constant presence in the lives of his children and grandchildren, sharing stories of his time in the Army and owning “Chick’s Billiards” pool room in Brooklyn, and imparting his love for boating, Broadway shows and jazz music. He could often be found relaxing on his front porch with Barbara, feeding squirrels while using his extensive literary knowledge to complete the New York Times crossword puzzle, in pen, every week.

Harold will be laid to rest on January 2, 2024 at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, New Jersey.

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