Michael J. Chiaccio

Michael J. Chiaccio, passed away surrounded by his loving family, Sunday, July 12, 2009, in Samaritan Hospice, Virtual Memorial Hospital. He was 68. rnrnBorn and raised in Riverside, Michael graduated Riverside High School in 1959 and attended St. Peter’s Elementary School. As a proud member of the Riverside community he began as an altar boy at St. Peter’s Church. He became a co-founder and member of the Jaycee’s in his early 20’s and supported many businesses and people in the community throughout his life. Born to a line of business owners, he was the oldest child of Joseph and Edna Chiaccio. He managed the family business, Chiaccio Motors, a car/motorcycle dealership in Riverside. He became a certified auctioneer in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and performed auctions throughout the Philadelphia Metropolitan area including the S&S Auction, the Dutch Auction, the South Jersey Auto Auction and the Philadelphia Public Auto Auction. As a businessman he wore many hats, his favorite being the “Top Hat”. He was affectionately known as “Ole’ Colonel Mike”. rnWith a love of the Blues, Michael knew every artist from the 50s and 60s. As a result he began selling and trading very rare records at flea markets. It was here that his top hat and energetic charm caught the eye of Maria (nee Zylawyj). Their 30 years of friendship and love were sealed in marriage in 2005. An avid dancer, Mike’s proudest dance was his first official dance as Maria’s husband. At family events, he was never far from the dance floor where he could be found spinning with his wife, granddaughters, nieces, and friends.rnMichael was a showman by nature and was famous for how well he could tell a story. His status as a raconteur is legendary. The stories he told were meant to captivate the listener, to make someone laugh, to teach a life lesson, or to lift spirits. While his narratives mesmerized people, Michael also realized that others had their own stories to tell. One of Michael’s great gifts was to entice people to tell their story. He understood how people felt and nearly everyone he encountered walked away feeling a little better about themselves.rnMichael is survived by three daughters from his first marriage to Joyce Rossi: Rhonda Cardone (Don) of Basking Ridge; Joyce Yeager (Dan) of Delran; and Lila McKeon (John) of Delran; and grandchildren Mitchell, Brittany Cardone, Jessica, Danielle, Michael Yeager, Jacquelyn and Ashley McKeon. His siblings include: Margaret Powell (the late Jerry) of Medford Lakes; Faye Marinelli (Ronald) of Florence; and Gary Chiaccio (Mary) of Delran; as well as his nieces and nephews: Joseph, Margaret, Alisa, Gina, Jamie, Joseph, and Meredith.rnrnHe is survived by his wife Maria who he married in 2005. His stepchildren and stepgrandchildren include: Paul Wituschek (Lois) of Warrington, and their children Heather and Ashley; Rodney Wituschek (Danielle) of Delran and their children Ryan, Sean and RJ and their stepchildren Kyle and Richie; and Mark Wituschek (Lisa) of Swedesboro and their son Mark. Also very significant to his life were Wendy (nee Macchioni) of AL., and Robert Macchioni of Delran, as well as numerous other friends and family members.rn rnCome celebrate 68 charismatic years Friday from 6-9 PM and Saturday 8:30-9:30 AM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 Am at Sacred Heart Church , Riverton. Interment St. Peter’s Cemetery, Riverside. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Dr., Marlton, NJ 08053.rn