Obituary of Reverend Robert Chalany

Reverend Robert "Joe" Chalany, OSB of Chester passed away Thursday evening, June 28th at Chestelm Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in East Haddam. Father Robert was born in Chester on September 16, 1924 the son of Isador and Gabriella (Ondreka) Chalany. He was raised Chester and ordained into the Priesthood on June 7, 1952 in Patterson, New Jersey as a member of the Order of Saint Benedict and was affiliated with Saint Paul Abbey in Newton, New Jersey. From 1966 until his retirement in 1999 Father Robert was Chaplain at the Brooklyn Veterans Administration Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. In 1999 he was incardinated as a Priest in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia, that same year he retired back home to Chester. Father Robert was an avid gardener who enjoyed sharing the fruits of his gardening labors with many. Father Bob for many years celebrated Mass at Saint Mark The Evangelist Church in Westbrook assisting the Pastors in their absence. The people of Saint Mark parish are grateful for his love, dedication, generosity and humor that he so willing shared. Father Robert is survived by his nephews; David W. Rand and his wife Janice, and their children, Tyler and Megan, of East Haddam, John Applebee and his wife Bonnie, of East Hampton, Robert Applebee, of Mystic, Gerald Trahan and his wife, Michaelinda of Lake Zurich, Illinois, Thomas Trahan, and his wife, Cheryl of Glastonbury and his nieces; Janet Marshall of Ellington, and Helen Fagen of Colchester. Father Robert was predeceased by his brothers, Alexander and William, and his sisters, Julia, Rose, and Helen. Vigil for Father Chalany with Reception will be held at 4:00PM on Monday, July 2nd at Saint Mark The Evangelist Church, 222 McVeagh Road in Westbrook. Visitation will follow from 5:00PM until 7:00PM. The Reverend Peter Liszewski, Pastor, of Saint Mark The Evangelist Church will preside at the Funeral Mass on Tuesday, July 3rd at 11:00AM. Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery, 48 Middlesex Avenue in Chester. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Saint Mark The Evangelist Church, 222 McVeigh Rd., Westbrook, CT 06498. To share a memory of Father Robert or leave a condolence for his family please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements by the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.