Gerald “Jerry” A. Chapel

Jerry Chapel, 74, of Little River, SC, formerly of East Rockaway, NY and Greensboro, NC, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 3rd, 2022. Jerry was born in Sunnyside Queens, NY; the son of late Justin J. and Helen T. Chapel.

Jerry was the Park Director for Nassau County Parks & Recreation in New York for 34 years. Jerry was also employed by the Village of East Rockaway Recreation Commission, where he served as the Recreation Director from 1967-1992, involved in the all year round boy’s & girl’s youth sporting programs; including baseball, basketball, swimming, camping, ice skating, softball and hockey. Jerry was heavily involved in organizing & chaperoning leisure youth camping trips as well as senior citizens' trips to Broadway shows, dinners and casino’s. Jerry was a Co-Founder/President of the East Rockaway Raiders Youth Football. Jerry was also proud of his past membership with the East Rockaway Fire Department. Jerry was an accomplished bar owner of The Chapter II in Lynbrook, NY. He was an admired Coach and Director well respected throughout East Rockaway.

Jerry was an extraordinary husband for 48 years and a loving parent to his 4 children. Jerry was known for his humor, wit, wisdom, sports knowledge and love of music. Jerry was an avid Yankees and Jets fan; even when it hurt. In his free time, Jerry enjoyed reading, doing his puzzle books, eating lunch by the beach, annual college football tours with longtime friend, Joe Vito, busting chops everywhere he went and most of all - quality time with his granddaughter, Raegan.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Ginny Chapel of Little River; four children: Jenn Price (Billy) of Dalzell, SC, Craig Chapel (Jeanie) of Lake Livingston, TX, Doreen Chapel of Greenville, SC and Keri Chapel of Rembert, SC; three grandchildren: Raegan, Morgan and Emily; two siblings: Jay Chapel (Judy) of Pismo Beach, CA and the late Rosemary Dembrosky; niece Kristine Perkins (Rob) of San Francisco, CA and nephew Chris Dembrosky (Kim) of Chesterfield, VA and cousins.

Per Jerry’s wishes, his ashes will be returned home at a later date.