Obituary of Joseph L. Chimera

Joseph L. Chimera, 86, of Jamestown, NY, passed away at 12:30 am Monday, January 18, 2021, in UPMC Chautauqua. A Jamestown resident since 1956, he was born September 8, 1934 in Dunkirk, NY, the son of the late Anthony and Dahlia Martinelli Chimera. Joe was a 1952 graduate of Dunkirk High School and received his bachelor's degree in education from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 1956. Before his retirement in 1993, he was employed by the Jamestown Board of Education as an elementary school teacher for 37 years. He taught at the former East Jamestown Elementary School, the Samuel G. Love Elementary School and retired from Ring Elementary School. He was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church and a member of several teacher's organizations including the Jamestown Teachers Association, Southwestern Zone Retired Teachers, New York State Retired Teachers, and a life member of the National Education Association. He was a past president of the Jamestown Sertoma Club, retired member of the United States Naval Reserves, where he served for 21 years, the Samuel Derby Post 556 American Legion, Frewsburg, NY and was a volunteer for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program working at the Cancer Treatment Center. Joe enjoyed playing pool in his community pool tournaments and socializing with his many friends at area restaurants. He loved watching his grandchildren grow and being part of their lives. In his earlier years, Joe enjoyed photography as a hobby. Joe had a quiet sense of humor, was a great listener, and a very loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Dolores L. "Dolly" LaBarbera Chimera whom he married August 11, 1956 in St. James Catholic Church, four children; Joseph A. Chimera of Graham, NC, Janine Marie Chimera of Jamestown, NY, Timothy J. (Susan) Chimera of Coraopolis, PA, Jeffrey P. ((Donna) Chimera of Mebane, NC, seven grandchildren; Allyson Ayli, Lexi Chimera, Matthew Gribbroek, Mitchell Gribbroek, Lennon Kuhl-Chimera, Sophia Kuhl-Chimera, Anne Li Chimera and two great grandchildren; Beckett Smyly and Finley Ayli. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a memorial service and celebration of Joe's life will be held at a later date. Entombment will be in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Scholarship Fund for Education, 418 Spring St. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to St. James Catholic Church Music Ministries, 27 Allen St. Jamestown, NY 14701.