Richard Chalef

Richard, mainly referred to as “Dick,” was born in Elizabeth, NJ on July 23, 1927. His mother’s “favorite” and the youngest child, his siblings Morris, Trudy, and Anne often blamed everything they did wrong on “Dickie” knowing he would not get in trouble.

Dick joined the United States Army Air Forces during WWII and served in Guam. After the war, he attended NYU for business but dropped out of college to help run the family business with his brother, when his father fell ill. Dick and his brother Morris continued to run their family business, Roselle Plumbing and Heating Supply until they sold the business about 15 years ago.

Survived by his wife Bernice, Richard met Bernice at the Concord Hotel in the Catskills, the summer of 1966. They started dating after meeting. Dick always joked that he was tired of driving to Queens to go on dates with Bernice, so he either had to break up with her or marry her. They were married in 1967.

In addition to Bernice, Richard is survived by his wife Bernice, son and daughter-in-law Elliot and Donna Chalef and his daughter and son-in-law Donna and Russell Fromkin. As well as his five grandchildren, Stephanie, Erin, David, Lucas and Sophie.

Richard loved to collect things, especially magazines, stamps, coins, and toy cars. He loved to play bocci and was an avid bowler too. Dick spent a lot of time reading books and watching his beloved old fashion western movies.

Dick was a loving husband, father, and grandfather with a soft, warm, and jovial personality. He was liked by everyone. Late in life his hearing and memory failed him, complicated 2020 where the Covid-19 lockdowns limited interactions by friends and family. Dick died on July 17, 2021, and will be greatly missed.

Donations can be made in Richard’s memory to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund through the Donate link below. Thank you.

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