George P. Chimenti of Aquebogue died at his home on Friday, April 24, 2015. He was 92 years old.
He was born on February 5, 1923 in Inwood, NY to Isabelle (nee Bobik) and Vincent L. Chimenti; One of the first Nassau County Police Detectives (1925). He grew up in New Hyde Park, NY and was a graduate of Sewanhaka H.S. in Floral Park. He continued his education at Nassau Community College, the Universities of C.W. Post, Adelphi and Virginia. He then pursued his Doctorate at the University of Maryland.
During World War II, he served for three years in the United States Marine Corps as a corporal in the Pacific Battles of Saipan, Tinian and Tarawa. For his honorable service overseas, 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 and held assignments in the Division of Education & Training, First, Seventh & Fourth Precinct, Detective Division, Main Office, the Eighth, First &Sixth Squads, Precinct Squads and Highway Patrol Bureau.
In 1970, the 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 loaned 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 from whom the work had been borrowed, arrived in this country shortly after to participate in the sleuthing effort. Lt. George P. Chimenti, Chief of Detectives and Det. Joseph Olehausen took her on a tour of East Hills, NY on Wednesday, February 25, 1970 inspecting the scene of the crime in her chauffeured limousine along with her attorney.
He was also involved with the N.Y.S. DWI Program developed with Governor Nelsen Rockefeller and the Police Pursuit Program. After thirty-two years of service, he retired on January 1, 1980
George began a new career as a teacher at Piedmont Virginia Community College where he was responsible for the development of the Criminal Justice Program, then at Suffolk County Community College, Riverhead and Selden Campuses.
From 1950-1973 he lived in Massapequa and Greenlawn from 1973-1980 when he moved to Charlottesville, Va. In 1986, he relocated to Shelter Island where he lived until 1989 when he moved to Aquebogue.
Locally, he served as a Shelter Island Town Councilman from 1993-1995 where he worked hard for affordable housing and the dredging of the Ram Island causeway; was member of the Shelter Island School Board and involved in the expansion of the school George also served as a Vestryman at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and Grace Episcopal Church in Riverhead.
Professionally, he was a member of the PBA, SOA and DAI.
Surviving is his wife, Karen E. (nee Voorhes) who he married on October 19, 1968 in Hempstead, N.Y; seven children: Jack of FL., Catherine Ford of Sayville, George, Jr. of New Portland ME, Christopher of Lindenhurst, Janice Schiano of Farmingville and Gina Zarowin of Westhampton Beach; fifteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son; William and three brothers: Vincent, Anthony and Daniel.
The family received friends on April 27 and April 28 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 29th at Grace Episcopal Church in Riverhead. Mother Mary Garde officiated. Interment, with US Marine Corps honors, was at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood Cemetery 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.
