James J Chenard

New Jersey passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 19th, 2023 at the Genesis

Long Term Care facility in Cranbury, New Jersey. Mr. Chenard was 97 years old.

Mr. Chenard was born in Methuen Massachusetts on October 25, 1925 to James

Chenard Sr and Anna Dolan Chenard. He was predeceased by his wife, Joan Williams

in 1994. He is survived by his son, James Chenard III and his wife Donna Chenard,

his son Jeffrey Chenard and a daughter, Jane Chenard- Wallace-Martz and one

grandchild, Christopher Wallace.

Mr. Chenard graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Westfield, New Jersey in

1943. He enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and proudly served his country from 1943

to 1946. He served in the South Pacific in an Amphibious Unit, Standard Landing

Craft Unit #34 on Ulithi Atoll.

After completing his military service, Mr. Chenard Graduated from Union Junior

College in Cranford, New Jersey in 1948 and Marieta College in 1950, with a degree

in Business Administration. He was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

Mr. Chenard was employed in the computer / business management field for 34

years, before retiring in 1993, after eight years as the Vice President and General

Manager of Zytec Data Services Co. Prior to Zytec, Mr. Chenard was employed by

NBC, RCA, Western Union in related managerial positions.

Mr. Chenard originally lived in Union, New Jersey where he met his wife, Joan

Williams. The family originally lived in Union, but a business transfer brought him

to Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He often stated that the period of time in Cherry Hill

were some of the best years of his life. Mr. Chenard was also an avid Giants and

Mets fan and was noted for yelling at each play on the television.

In Retirement, Mr. Chenard was active in the Kiwanis of Long Beach Island, a ten-year volunteer driver for Interfaith, a member of the Surf City Yacht Club, and was

the head usher at Saint Francis Parish. Mr. Chenard was active in a number of civic

associations on Long Beach Island and a member of the VFW Post 1000. In

Retirement, Mr. Chenard found time to attend Monmouth University and obtain a

master’s degree in American History.

Burial will be at Graceland Memorial Park in Kenilworth, New Jersey. The family

requests that any donations in his name be made to the Food Pantry at Saint Francis

Parish or Surf City New Jersey Fire / Rescue.