Dr. Philip D. Chiaravelle, Sr.

Hyde Park-Philip D. Chiaravalle, Sr., 85, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Copley Hospital in Morrisville. Chiaravalle was born in New York City on August 28, 1929, the youngest child of Felice and Raffaella Chiaravalle. Due to the early death of his mother, he and two older brothers were sent to a nearby Catholic orphanage, St. Agnes, in Sparkill, NY, supervised by truly dedicated Dominican nuns. A sister attended a Catholic school in New York City. Finishing 8th grade at St. Agnes, he attended Tappan Zee High School in Piermont, NY. After high school, Chiaravalle spent four years in the Navy as a medic, becoming trained as an operating room technician. During the Korean War, he was assigned as a corpsman with Marines, serving primarily at Camp Pendleton in California.

Upon leaving the service, he attended UVM for his B.A. and M.S. degrees. After teaching two years at Long Lake Central School in New York State, he went to the University of Rhode Island to obtain a Ph.D. in biological sciences/plant pathology. He returned to Vermont teaching biological sciences at Burlington High School for 4 years; and was also Science Department Head. The family moved to Morrisville in 1966, since he obtained employment at Johnson State College. For over 20 years, Chiaravalle taught various courses in biological science returning to teach sporadically.

Chiaravalle chose early retirement as the family had become involved in a flower shop and landscaping business. He continued to work in the landscaping field until his death. He enjoyed providing assorted public workshops on plants, teaching at GMTCC, CCV and making various GMATV presentations.

Dr. Chiaravalle had a long association with the Morrisville Rotary Club, with Out and About Adult Day Services and the Vermont Botanical and Bird Club serving variously as President of each. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and a parishioner of the Holy Name of Jesus Parish.

In 1953, Chiaravalle married Virginia Croteau and they had four boys, Phil Jr., Francis James, Peter John, Paul Jeffrey and a daughter, Sue Ellen. There are numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; by his older brothers and sister as well as stepbrothers and step-sisters.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Apostle Church in Johnson. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 10 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Faith Funeral Home, 165 Brooklyn St., Morrisville. Interment will be in St. Teresa’s Cemetery in Hyde Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Out & About, 11 Court St., Morrisville, VT 05661.

Online condolences may be made b visiting faithfh.net.