Frank Winslow Chenelle

It was a bright and sunny morning in March when we lost Francis Winslow "Frank" Chenelle who passed suddenly yet peacefully in his sleep at the age of 88. Frank was born on March 13th,1933 in Newport, Rhode Island. He was the first-born of Frank and Gertrude Chenelle and eldest brother to David and Douglas Chenelle. His father’s military service brought the family to San Diego when Frank was still a child. It was in San Diego that Frank fully realized his love for athletics, a passion that he would carry throughout his life. Frank played football for both St. Augustine’s and San Diego High School’s football teams.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Frank enlisted in the Navy where he fought in the Korean War. Following his service in Korea, Frank played baseball for a Dodgers farm team in Texas and later played with a Mexican baseball league for two years. During his time playing for the said league, he earned the nickname “El Enojado” (The Angry One) due to his propensity for arguing with the umpires. Along with playing sports, Frank was a dedicated coach and mentor- Frank coached a variety of Little League teams and later earned a spot in SuHi’s Hall of Fame for his seventeen years of coaching with the SuHi Devil’s CIF-winning basketball team.

Frank worked diligently and tirelessly for his community. Prior to his thirty one years of service as a police officer years the NCPD, he was a Union Leader and advocate for worker’s rights. While working as a police officer Frank concurrently served as the Vice President of PORAC, the Peace Officers Research Association of California. As Vice President, Frank led the charge for worker’s comp for officers injured on duty as well as many other pertinent issues facing officers in the line of duty at the time. Frank worked within the organization and with government officials, lobbying for workers' rights in Sacramento to eventually pass influential bills and reform.

After Frank retired he founded a chapter of the Knights of Columbus at his longtime parish, St. Anthony de Padua. With the Knights of Columbus, Frank was instrumental in raising thousands of dollars for local and chapter-founded charities. A dedicated community leader, Frank was deeply passionate about giving back and making his local National City and the world a better and brighter place.

Frank was a generous man, a fair man, and a charitable man. Along with his boundless love for his community, Frank’s greatest joy was his family. Frank is predeceased by his parents and wife Beatrice. He joins brother David. He is survived by his brother, Doug, children Michel (Jen), Baba (Stacy), Lance (Tandy) and Kevin (Sunny); grandchildren Michel, Chelsea (John), Alexandra, Calla, Farrow, Mateo and Aedan; great grandson, Oliver; sisters-in-law, Nell Lopez and Gwen Chenelle; brother-in-law, Robert Lopez; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services to be held at St. Anthony de Padua on March 26th at 10 a.m. with reception to follow at the American Legion Post 255 from 11-2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to Sweetwater High School's basketball program or the charity of your choice.