-- Published in The Alaska Dispatch News, 03/07/2017:
Joe passed peacefully in his sleep, at home, after a lengthy battle with gastric cancer.
Joe was born in Bethel, Alaska, on Jan. 13, 1946, to William and Pauline Chaney, but was raised in Nyac, Alaska, a small mining settlement where his father was employed.
He always said "that was the best place in the world for a kid to grow up." Joe graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in 1964, he then joined the the Alaska National Guard in Bethel and served until September 1965.
He went to work for Northern Consolidated Airlines (NCA) in Bethel and while working for NCA transferred to Dillingham, Alaska, where he met and married his wife of 49 years, Ellamae Olson.
He worked on the ground crew for NCA, which later changed to Wien Air Alaska, for 19 years, before going to work for the City of Dillingham Public Works, from which he retired in 2009, with 18 years of service.
Joe was an experienced private pilot who spent every chance he got hunting, fishing, trapping and spending any time he could outdoors with family and friends.
His greatest pleasure, however, was spending time with his grandchildren teaching them the subsistence way of life and always reminded them to share their catch with the elders. They will miss hearing "Papa loves you!" which he reminded them daily.
He enjoyed cooking and was best known for his sourdough pancakes, which he served every Saturday morning for the past 20 plus years for family and friends, and there was always room for an extra plate. It truly was the highlight of his week, especially after he retired.
Joe is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ellamae Chaney; his daughter, Jody Thorson (Matt); his son, William Chaney (Robyn); and grandchildren, Triston, Dillon, Graelin, Nova and Calvin Chaney and Raini Thorson; his sister, Margaret Demandel (Artie); Kathleen Anderson (Andy); Donna Lindsey (Robert); and brother, Frank Chaney; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, William and Pauline Chaney; and sister, Clarisse Ann (Junie) Hoffman.
Joe's service was held at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Dillingham and he was laid to rest at the Holy Rosary Cemetery on Feb. 21, 2017. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be forever loved and missed.
Published in Alaska Dispatch News on Mar. 7, 2017.
-- Published in The Alaska Dispatch News, 03/07/2017:
Joe passed peacefully in his sleep, at home, after a lengthy battle with gastric cancer.
Joe was born in Bethel, Alaska, on Jan. 13, 1946, to William and Pauline Chaney, but was raised in Nyac, Alaska, a small mining settlement where his father was employed.
He always said "that was the best place in the world for a kid to grow up." Joe graduated from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in 1964, he then joined the the Alaska National Guard in Bethel and served until September 1965.
He went to work for Northern Consolidated Airlines (NCA) in Bethel and while working for NCA transferred to Dillingham, Alaska, where he met and married his wife of 49 years, Ellamae Olson.
He worked on the ground crew for NCA, which later changed to Wien Air Alaska, for 19 years, before going to work for the City of Dillingham Public Works, from which he retired in 2009, with 18 years of service.
Joe was an experienced private pilot who spent every chance he got hunting, fishing, trapping and spending any time he could outdoors with family and friends.
His greatest pleasure, however, was spending time with his grandchildren teaching them the subsistence way of life and always reminded them to share their catch with the elders. They will miss hearing "Papa loves you!" which he reminded them daily.
He enjoyed cooking and was best known for his sourdough pancakes, which he served every Saturday morning for the past 20 plus years for family and friends, and there was always room for an extra plate. It truly was the highlight of his week, especially after he retired.
Joe is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ellamae Chaney; his daughter, Jody Thorson (Matt); his son, William Chaney (Robyn); and grandchildren, Triston, Dillon, Graelin, Nova and Calvin Chaney and Raini Thorson; his sister, Margaret Demandel (Artie); Kathleen Anderson (Andy); Donna Lindsey (Robert); and brother, Frank Chaney; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, William and Pauline Chaney; and sister, Clarisse Ann (Junie) Hoffman.
Joe's service was held at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Dillingham and he was laid to rest at the Holy Rosary Cemetery on Feb. 21, 2017. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be forever loved and missed.
Published in Alaska Dispatch News on Mar. 7, 2017.
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