We had some interesting watches when we were in port on Mobile Bay.  The only khakis there for Christmas one year and another time when an intoxicated Sailor from another ship couldn’t tell us where he was supposed to be.  He handled it all with a smile, being firm and authoritative but with compassion and respect.  A tremendous loss of a wonderful man ❤️.

I had the honor of meeting John on Thanksgiving of 2023. We went to the Thanksgiving parade.  My first impression of him was that he was a wonderful person and very giving.  I watched him and Candie’s relationship bloom. They were great for each other. She got him out of his comfort zone and worked on the life/work balance. He was gentle, reassuring and confident in who he was. He was always willing to help.  I was heartbroken when he received the cancer diagnosis. Not only for him but for his family, friends, Candie and Candie’s family. His life was too short but it was a privilege to know him. He will be missed.  Rest in peace, John.

Here, you're with John and about 35 of your friends at a Bon Jovi cover band at the Flying W.

In the time we were fortunate enough to know John, my husband and I observed the love he had for our daughter and grandson. We got to know him as a caring, sweet man. We enjoyed our many dinners together, especially Jacob's birthday at The Double Knot Restaurant in Philadelphia. These photos are from that occasion. 
Our daughter and grandson loved him very much. We all thought our futures would continue to include John, a wonderful, exceptional man.

I had the honor of serving with John. Rest Easy Brother. Fair winds and following seas.

Kayaking on the Delaware River this past summer 🏞

At the Bon Jovi Tribute concert this past summer 🎸

To My Big Brother, 
Thank you for always being there for our family in good times and bad. You have always been a role model, and someone to look up to. Someone you wouldn’t want to disappoint however you know would be forgiving. Thank you for having that sense of humor that will sorely be missed, but definitely not forgotten. 
Thank you for always making time for your niece and nephews- whether it’s going to their games, playing some games, shooting hoops, or playing in the waves. And thank you for taking care of the puppies whenever you stopped into town. They would go crazy when they heard your voice. 
Thank you for your dedication to our country and your career in the Navy. I will never forget how mad Mom was when you joined. But that turned out to be the best thing that you could have done for yourself and for our country. Your career was nothing short of remarkable. 
You have been the best big brother to Phil, Christine and me. I thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. I tried so hard to be there for you as you were for me. The only comfort I have is knowing you are with Mom now and are no longer suffering. 
I was so blessed to have you as my big brother. Thank you for being you.
❤️Nicole

My sweet loving brother Johnny,
I do not know how I could be where I am today if wasn't for your unwavering love and support for me  and my children.You truly are the greatest man I have ever known.  I am devastated and heartbroken about what happened to you. My heart hurts  as I constantly think about you. Life was always better when you were around. I tried so hard to help you,  as you have always been there for me in my darkest days. I will love and miss you forever and I am so proud that you are my brother ❤️🙏

O John you were a true man of greatness. In the, unfortunately short time in which the hearts of you and my mother Candace Leusner were intertwined, I witnessed something beautiful. I saw my mom's eyes light up whenever she talked about you, I saw my mom be freed from all preconceptions, and exist for love. John found joy in the joy of others. John would do anything to help you, even if he had to go through pain to do it. Nearing the end of his life he was still so positive, he would tell my mom that he was gonna get better so he could take care of us. John was not only a hero to this country, but to anyone who had the pleasure of interacting with him. John will live on through all who loved, and were loved by him. I will strive to one day be as great as he was, and if I am to achieve a fraction of that aspiration, I will have succeeded in greatness. I love you, John.


“But the heart has its own memory and I have forgotten nothing.”

We served together on the USS Samuel Eliot Morison FFG-13. You were one of my first friends in the Navy. RIP shipmate, we were a Band of Brothers. Liberty Call on the Great Lakes Cruise … Summer 1992.

Fair winds and following seas shipmate!

Rest In Peace.

James S Owens, SHCS (SW/AW) Retired

John, I’m completely heartbroken to have found out you passed on. I’m thinking back on our time on USS Halyburton, you took good care of me and our division. I was so proud of you when you became a Chief Petty Officer and I peeped in on you after you left. Thank you for those memories, you stand relieved, we have the watch. May God bless and keep your family through this difficult time, Rest in Peace my brother.

You will be missed my friend.
 you left your mark on all the hearts that you’ve touched throughout all the years with all your kindness and love for others.
The above picture is on the USS Samuel Elliott Morrison.
John C. On the right., Mark Nadobny, William Ferguson , Stephen Murray . And California in the middle.
You will be missed my friend.
Lord, thank you for the time that you allowed him to spend with us.

Fair winds and following seas, shipmate.  You are now transferred to the Office of the Ultimate Commander, and I look forward to serving there with you again.

Was stationed with John on USS Samuel Eliot Morison, awesome guy and a true friend to everyone! Sad to hear the news of his passing. I have many good memories of our time onboard and he was a great mentor and contributor to my success in the Navy. Fair winds and following seas shipmate! 

Michael Donato
CWO3  USN(Ret)

It is with a heavy heart that I have to write this note; John was a superb man in every way; it was an absolute pleasure to work beside him at AEGIS Techrep.  He cared so much for his fellow teammates and especially the USN sailors he supported while working for BAE Systems.  John was a stellar example to all in the way he carried himself and handled the day to day issues associated with working on such an important program.  I am so glad I had the chance to know him and my heart goes out to his family during this difficult time.  Fair winds and following seas shipmate; I will see you again someday

Semper Fidelis, Tim Cassidy

It is so hard to imagine John not being here. I have worked with him since 2017, communicating several times a day for many years. If I had a question about anything John always had the answer. We would both be online late at night working and even though I did not expect responses during the evening hours he always got back to me right away. John was very friendly and easy to speak with, there is a huge hole in everyone's lives with John missing, it will be hard to get along without him.

Sending prayers John's family and friends! While I only worked with John on a few occasions while stationed at NSWC Dahlgren, it was evident that he really cared about getting the very best combat systems out to the Fleet and those Sailors who operate it. Thank you for your service John!

LT Nearing

My prayers for the family, friends, and colleagues of John. He was a great technical leader, always willing to help, and very kind. I am grateful for the time we worked together.

I had the honor of meeting and working with  John when he was a Chief then a Senior Chief stationed at CSEDS.  He was the nicest person you’d ever meet.    He always had a smile on his face.  He then transferred to his next duty station until he retired when he came to work at BAE where I also work and it was a pleasure working with him.  I still cannot believe he has passed on but my thoughts and prayers are with his family,  friends, coworkers and his shipmates.  May he Rest In Peace and thank you for your service. 🇺🇸

John ❤️ Candie 

I love John’s witty personality and playful sense of humor.

John and I grew up in Tabernacle. We were classmates from first grade through high school. He was the sweetest, most adorable  “boy next door”.  I always loved his curly hair and peaceful mostly shy demeanor. Our lives crossed paths many times through the years. 

The timing was finally perfect for our relationship to bloom when we reconnected at a Tabernacle class of 84 reunion.  John & I both say that attending that reunion was the best decision we ever made because it brought us together. It was clear that  beginning that night that we were meant to be together. We loved our life together in Tabernacle with my son Jacob. John was such an amazing role model for him. Jacob loves John especially for the way he treated me. John changed our lives forever.  

We planned to retire together and had so many plans for our future and I am so heartbroken that he is gone. 

My arms are empty right now but my heart is full of his love and our memories together.  From cuddling on the couch, visiting local dive bars, camping, kayaking, watching his nephews and niece at their sports, food truck nights, events with friends, cooking and eating together, games (board games, trivia nights, corn hole, ring toss, darts, shuffleboard), Phillies games, holidays and traveling.  We so enjoyed the every day moments together. 

“I must, then, repeat continually that we are for ever sundered:—and yet, while I breathe and think, I must love him”.

Jacob and my family love John.  John brought peace, kindness. humor, support and love to us. 

My family is so glad for my once in a lifetime relationship with John. Jacob was so happy for me to find the most loving partner. 

John, Jacob and I loved our life together in Tabernacle. We are missing John so much.

John was always ready for an adventure with me!  He always said yes to my ideas, even the crazy ones. 

We had so many fun times with family and friends.  

“ 'All my heart is yours, sir: it belongs to you; and with you it would remain, were fate to exile the rest of me from your presence for ever.” Bronte

I had the privilege of working with John for the last three years. He was always a great joy to meet in the office, even for a quick hello.

I will miss him alot.

John and I worked together for several years.
He was one of my best friends and always dedicated to the work. He  always chose the right path and I looked up to him.

To you, his family, you have my deepest sympathy for your loss.

To John, Fair winds and following seas, Brother.

Very Respectfully,
FCC J. Steven Johnson

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

John Chillemi

24 juin 1970 – 18 décembre 2024

Thos. L. Shinn Funeral Home

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