Obituary of Donald J. Chadwick

Mr. Donald J. Chadwick passed away at his home on May 21, 2017, having lived well for 92 years. Mr. Chadwick lived in Riverside and owned and operated the Chadwick Memorial Home on Webster Street there for over 40 years. Mr. Chadwick was reared in Plainfield, NJ at the Chadwick Home for Children and was the oldest of 10 children. He had a pleasant manner of speaking and his voice was a unique blend between Central New Jersey accent and the English accent of Emily Chadwick, the woman who raised him. He took Emily Chadwick’s last name in her honor. Mr. Chadwick was a proud graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was active in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and later at St. Casimir’s Church, both in Riverside. Mr. Chadwick was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as past Grand Knight of the St. John Neumann Council No. 1436,  Delran. Mr. Chadwick was a member of the Riverside Kiwanis Club and was a past Lt. Governor of the New Jersey District of Kiwanis.He was a Past Worshipful Master of Henry A. Haines Lodge 253 of Audubon, NJ F. & A.M. He was also a member of the Collingswood Consistory & Royal Arch Masons and the Knights Templar York Rite. He was a 32nd Degree Mason. Don was civic minded and served on the Riverside Library Board. He also served for 14 years as a member, Vice President and President of the Riverside Board of Education. Mr. Chadwick was a witty and charming gentleman. He was fastidious in grooming, clothing and in business matters. He enjoyed traveling and was an avid reader. Mr. Chadwick’s interment and services were private as he didn’t want any “fuss” to be made on his behalf upon his passing. He said he came into Riverside quietly, enjoyed his life there, and wanted to leave Riverside quietly as well.  Mr. Chadwick was a modest and humble man.