Roy Chiappini

Obituary

Roy Chiappini

After a valiant battle with liver cancer, Roy Nicholas Chiappini, Jr., our husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle, and friend passed peacefully from this life to meet his Savior on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, while resting at home surrounded by the love and laughter of his family.

As stated by Roy’s brother-in-law, Dave, if we had to choose one word to describe Roy and his life, it would be “Shenanigans.” Every age and phase of his life was filled with crazy antics that kept everyone laughing and sometimes made us want to scream! Roy always went for the laugh.

Born in 1943, to Roy Nicholas and Filomena Ziccardi Chiappini in Ancon, Panama Canal Zone, Panama, Roy was the oldest of their six children. Growing up in Eau Claire, Pennsylvania, he was an exuberant child who loved the outdoors and would roam the woods with his dogs.

While Roy did not always love school, he was extremely gifted in math and the sciences, and he enjoyed playing clarinet in his high school band. He graduated from Moniteau High School and then completed the electronic technician program at the Allegheny Technical Institute in Pittsburgh, PA, after which he worked for General Electric as a quality control technician.

At this time, Roy received his draft notice to Vietnam from the US Army on a Monday. He followed his heart and was in the Navy by Friday.

As Roy often expressed, he joined the Navy to see the world, and ended up in Pocatello, Idaho. He worked with the nuclear reactor prototype at the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho Falls, ID, after which he was deployed as a reactor operator on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. “The Wop,” as he was known in the Navy, earned the respect of his officers and an official commendation for his efforts on the Enterprise. His sense of humor only got him into hot water on a few occasions.

While stationed in Idaho, Roy went on a blind date with a gorgeous girl named Ava Sasser. Though Roy was a rowdy sailor, Ava saw something in his heart, and they continued to date. Around this time, Roy associated with many people who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he was impressed with them. Secretly, so that Ava wouldn’t know, he started taking missionary lessons, received personal confirmation, joined the church, and never looked back.

Roy and Ava were married in July, 1969, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Roy worked as assistant manager for Valley Vending and Paul, Nancy, Nichole, Racquel, and Rebecca were born while they lived in southeast Idaho.

In 1980, Roy and Ava moved the family to Pennsylvania to be near Roy’s family as his father’s health was failing. Roy began a career there in Emergency Safety Planning after the Three Mile Island incident. When the Waterford III nuclear plant in Luling, Louisiana, needed similar programs to begin operations, Roy raised his hand and said, “I’ll go.” Ava was always up for an adventure, so off they went.

Roy loved Louisiana. He loved the people, his work, the culture, and the food. Philip and Leah were born in Louisiana completing the family. Roy spent his days devoted to his family, work, and Christ. Through his church service, Roy mentored members of all ages and walks of life and made a real difference in people’s lives.

Roy moved the family back to Blackfoot, ID, in 1987 to the home he would live in to the end. He loved it there and had the freedom to explore his hobbies including his personal shooting range.

Roy had skills and MANY interests and hobbies. He started his own business helping growers with site-specific farming. Over the years he had several beloved horses, donkeys, sheep, cows and many dogs that he trained. He loved his dogs and his friends in the dog- training community. He was active in the long-range shooting community and lived in the mountains for thirty days during a long-range hunt. He enjoyed leather-working and sewing, making beautiful custom handbags and gloves. He loved his neighborhood friends, colleagues, and those at the leather shop. In his later years, he enjoyed air rifles. He performed a stint as an assistant coroner and was involved in the local Republican party.

One highlight of Roy’s retirement was serving a mission with Ava for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City, UT. His antics there endeared him to many of his fellow missionaries. He often said it was one of the happiest times of his life.

Roy loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, and his Heavenly Father. He loved to mentor others and served faithfully in the church. He especially loved his service with the young men. Roy was a champion of the underdog and often looked out for those who might be overlooked.

We will treasure the memories of Roy in our hearts and try to live the very best of the good things he taught us. In the words of his Navy captain, we know Roy is wishing each of us “for the years ahead, a fair wind and a following sea.”

Roy is survived by his wife, Ava Sasser Chiappini; his children David Paul Chiappini, Nancy (Robert “Doc”) Moyle, Nichole (Chad) Richeson, Racquel (Raymond “Tony”) Lutz, Rebecca (Josh) Jarvis, Philip (Meghan) Chiappini, and Leah (Lucas) Stallings; 22 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren with another due in July; his siblings Mark (Pam) Chiappini, Steven (Ginny) Chiappini, Margaret “Peg” (Pat) Bailey, and Greg (Janet) Chiappini; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Philip “Foo” (Stella) Chiappini; his infant daughter, Jessica Chiappini; his granddaughter, Abby Lutz; and his great-niece, Leah Bailey.

Services for Roy will be as follows: Viewing and Greeting the Family on Friday, February 28, 2025, from 6-8 pm at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 South Shilling Ave, Blackfoot, ID. Viewing 10-10:45 am and Funeral at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Grove City 3rd Ward Chapel, 520 North Shilling Ave, Blackfoot, ID. Interment to follow at the Riverside Thomas Cemetery.

The family wishes to express sincere thanks to his doctors, the many staff members of the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Bingham Memorial Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center, Alliance Home Health and Hospice, and Hospice of Eastern Idaho for the exceptional care given to Roy. He found much enjoyment in associating with each of you and we are eternally grateful.