Obituaries

George P. Chimenti

George P. Chimenti
George P. Chimenti

George P. Chimenti of Aquebogue died at his home April 24, 2015. He was 92. 

He was born Feb. 5, 1923, in Inwood, N.Y., to Isabelle (Bobik) and Vincent L. Chimenti, who in 1925 became one of Nassau County’s first police detectives. George grew up in New Hyde Park and graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park. He continued his education at Nassau Community College and C.W. Post, Adelphi and Virginia universities. He then pursued a doctorate at the University of Maryland.

During World War II, George served for three years as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, in the Pacific battles of Saipan, Tinian and Tarawa. For his honorable service, he was awarded the Purple Heart.

On May 16, 1949, George was appointed to the Nassau County Police Department and served as a patrolman, detective, sergeant, detective sergeant, lieutenant, detective lieutenant, captain, deputy inspector and inspector. He held assignments in the Division of Education and Training; 1st, 7th and 4th precincts; Detective Division; main office; 8th, 1st and 6th squads; precinct squads; and Highway Patrol Bureau.

In 1970, headlines read: “The Mystery of the Missing Churchill Painting/Roslyn’s Finest of Sixth Precinct Raise Pinkies with British Lady.” Art gallery owner Lawrence Shandell rode off with a borrowed oil painting on his vehicle’s roof. It fell off a few blocks from his home. Lady Audley, Churchill’s daughter and owner of the painting, arrived in this country soon after to participate in the sleuthing effort. On Feb. 25, 1970, Lt. George P. Chimenti, chief of detectives, and Det. Joseph Olehausen took Lady Audley and her attorney on a tour of East Hills, N.Y., in her chauffeured limousine to inspect the scene of the crime.

He was also involved with the New York State DWI program, developed with Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, and the police pursuit program. After 32 years of service, he retired Jan. 1, 1980.

George began a new career as a teacher at Piedmont (Virginia) Community College, where he was responsible for developing the criminal justice program, and later taught at Suffolk County Community College’s Riverhead and Selden campuses.

He lived in Massapequa from 1950 to 1973 and in Greenlawn from 1973 to 1980 before moving to Charlottesville, Va. He relocated to Shelter Island in 1986 and moved to Aquebogue in 1989.

He served as Shelter Island Town councilman from 1993 to 1995. He worked hard for affordable housing and the dredging of Ram Island causeway, was a member of the Shelter Island school board and was involved in the school’s expansion. George also served as vestryman at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and Grace Episcopal Church in Riverhead.

Professionally, he was a member of the Police Benevolent Association, Superior Officers Association and Detectives Association Inc.

Surviving are George’s wife, Karen E. (née Voorhes), whom he married Oct. 19, 1968, in Hempstead; his six children, Jack, of Florida, Catherine Ford of Sayville, George Jr., of New Portland, Maine, Christopher, of Lindenhurst, Janice Schiano of Farmingville and Gina Zarowin of Westhampton Beach; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, William, and three brothers, Vincent, Anthony and Daniel.

The family received visitors April 27 and 28 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. A funeral service was held April 29 at Grace Episcopal Church in Riverhead, Mother Mary Garde officiating. Interment, with U.S. Marine Corps honors, was at Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury.

Memorial donations in George’s name may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5041.

 

This is a paid notice.