Obituary of Richard Lee Chiemingo

Richard Lee Chiemingo age 73, of Milford, Pennsylvania, and formerly of Cape May, New Jersey, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. He was born on December 25, 1947 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Richard and Jean E. Booth Chiemingo. After high school graduation, in 1965, from Centerville, Ohio, Richard enrolled at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. He joined the US Army in 1970 and proudly served our country. Stationed in Germany, Richard continued his music with the US Army Band and attained the rank of Sergeant upon his discharge. Richard continued his education at New York University, achieving his bachelors degree in music education upon graduation. He became a professional musician working with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. He performed with many celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, and was a member of Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians. He was also a Broadway pit musician for numerous productions, including “Annie’ and he was a regular orchestra musician for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. Richard lived in New York City and most recently he spent many years living in Cape May, New Jersey where he was very proud to work as the Cape May Point Lighthouse Keeper, gifted lecturer and historical interpreter, especially of John Phillip Sousa for the Mid Atlantic Center For The Arts. Richard is survived by his daughter, Kate Fernald and her husband, Shawn of Milford, Pennsylvania, his beloved grandchildren; Gryphon, Gavin, and Riley Fernald, his two sisters; Sue Bartlett and her husband Malcolm of Tallmadge, Ohio, and Barbara Gilbert and her husband Rusty of Houston, Texas, his nieces; Jennifer Zelenak, Lisa Mazi and Joellen Kentner, his nephew, Paul Kentner, as well as lifelong friends; Bob Chmel and Jane McNutt. A celebration of Richard’s life will be announced at a later date and will be held in Cape May, New Jersey. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis is, NY. For information, or to send a condolence note to the family please visit knight-auchmoody.com. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, New York