Celebration of Life
Rudel Alanzo Chinnery Sr., “Gummy, Chino” and “ChinChin,” age 89, passed away peacefully of natural causes after a short illness on March 23, at the Schneider Regional Medical Center. Born on Oct. 11, 1934, on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Rudel Alanzo Chinnery Sr. was pre-deceased by his parents: Agnes Benjamin and Amos Chinnery; brothers: Lucien Benjamin, Louis Hughes, David Alonzo Chinnery Sr., sister, Carol Hughes-Lovell; wives: Elsie Hill-Chinnery and Mildred Vanterpool-Chinnery; step-daughters: Eve and Edith Rose, and Vivian Nibbs.
He is survived by his wife, Charlene Bastian-Chinnery; sons: Sheldon Chinnery, Rudel Chinnery Jr. and step-son Johnny Nibbs; step-daughter, Denise Nibbs; sisters: Berenice Simmons and Alicia Hughes-Boatright; cousins: Alexis Gerard and Ina Smith; nieces: Nicole D. Hughes, Chatel A. Hughes-Anthony, Denise Lovell, Juanita Lovell and Rae Jones Browne; nephews: Louis, Nick Hughes, Lorne Hughes, Kevin D. Hughes Sr., Thomas Boatright, Richard Lovell, Elin Chinnery, Donald Chinnery Jr. and David Chinnery III; mother-in-law, Edris Callwood; sisters-in-law: Abigail Callwood-Henneman and Jacqueline Callwood; brothers-in-law: Austin Callwood Sr., Alvin Callwood Sr., Alric Callwood and Kevin Turnbull Sr.; 12 grandchildren; and other family members too numerous to mention.
Rudel led a remarkable life dedicated to service and community. In his youth, Rudel was energetic and resilient, moving in with Uncle Luther Benjamin and his family after his mother’s passing at the age of 17 in 1953. There he worked with his uncles and cousins in Estate Hope training horses, and later worked as a steward for the VI Horse Racing Organization. He attended Charlotte Amalie High School, where he excelled in electronics and was an avid baseball player.
After graduating in 1955, Rudel realized his dream of joining the U.S. Air Force where he served for 20 years, achieving the rank of Tech Sargent (E6). During his military service, Rudel was stationed in Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Ramey Air Force Base on Puerto Rico, Torrejon Air Force Base in Spain, and retiring from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. He was a star player on the Air Force Baseball Team while stationed in Spain.
After retiring in 1975 he returned home where he served in leadership and community-focused positions in business and both the executive and legislative branches of the VI Government. Including VITELCO (later Innovative and now Viya), the Virgin Islands Housing Authority, the Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs (now the Department of Planning and Natural Resources), and the VI Legislature. Rudel remained active in his passion for baseball, representing the V.I. numerous times in national and international tournaments, and managing the Virgin Islands’ 50+ Arizona Baseball Team.
Rudel cherished his family and community. He was a proud member of the Memorial Moravian Church, Charlotte Amalie High School Class of ’55, worked to improve the Scott Free neighborhood where he lived, and loved to travel. Rudel’s commitment to health and fitness was evidenced by his superb physique well into his last days. He was an inspiration to those around him.
He will be deeply missed by his friends and family, including the Benjamin, Chinnery, Hill, Nibbs, Boatright, Callwood, Vanterpool, Thomas and Simmons families, along with countless others whose lives he touched.
Viewing will be held at Turnbull’s Funeral Home from 4-6 p.m., April 8. Funeral services will be held at the Memorial Moravian Church on April 9, with a viewing and tribute at 9 a.m. followed by service at 10 a.m. Interment will be at the Smith Bay Eastern Cemetery. May he rest in eternal peace.
