Robert Wallace Chunyk

March 15th, 1945 - August 11th, 2024

Words cannot express our profound sadness in announcing the passing of Robert Wallace Chunyk of Somers, CT, on August 11, 2024. After a four-year battle with cancer, Bob departed this life surrounded by the comfort and love of his family.

Bob was born in Elmhurst, IL, to Wallace and Florence (Mylan) Chunyk, but he grew up in Islip, NY. He graduated in 1963 from Islip High School. He studied Aircraft Welding at the State University of New York College of Technology at Farmingdale.

Bob was a proud Vietnam Veteran, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant while serving for four years of active duty and 34 years in Civil Service and the Air Force Reserves at Westover Air Reserve Base. He and his late wife, Gloria, founded Young World Child Care Center in Easthampton, MA, a daycare business that continues to thrive to this day. After selling the business when Gloria became ill, Bob continued to maintain the property, a former Methodist church built in 1917, until he sold the property in 2022. The historical building stands as a landmark in Easthampton that reflects Bob’s dedication to stewardship.

Bob took advantage of the opportunity to retire early at age 52 so he could pursue his varied personal interests. He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, leading rides and touring on his Harley Davidson ’88 Softail. He had a lifelong passion for classic cars, particularly Chevy Novas. After owning multiple cars over the years, he found his “Red ‘63” and declared it the best car he ever had. He appreciated the value of quality antiques and spent many hours researching, buying, restoring, and selling vintage pressed steel Buddy L trucks. Bob also enjoyed traveling with his family to Misquamicut, Rhode Island, Ogunquit, Maine, and Negril, Jamaica. Known for his boundless energy, Bob was always planning the next project, whether it be working on the Nova, buying and restoring antique toys, or maintaining the house and yard. He took pride in his work and approached every activity with enthusiasm.

In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his first wife, Gloria (Esile) Chunyk, in 1990. Bob leaves his sister, Margaret Vietri, and her husband, Nick, and their extended family. Bob was the beloved husband and best friend to Susan Bankoski Chunyk. He brought love, laughter, and joy to Sue every day of their 27 years together. He leaves his children, Michael R. Chunyk and his partner, Ryan C. Avery, and Elizabeth A. Warren and her husband, Larry, and son, Sterly. He also leaves his brother-in-law, Edward P. Bankoski, and his partner, Donna Sciacca. His passing leaves a void for the many friends and acquaintances he encountered during his life. He had a charming, positive, and optimistic personality and an amazing sense of humor. His stories were always clever and entertaining. If you met Bob Chunyk, your life would never be the same.

We would like to acknowledge the professional, respectful, and compassionate care of the providers at the Baystate Medical Center Intensive Care Unit during Bob’s final days. Our family is especially grateful to Richard Steingart, M.D., and the staff at the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2024, from 2:00pm-5:00pm at the Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home. A Funeral service will be held on Monday, August 19th at 10:00am at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in South Hadley.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care. Please leave a memory of Bob at www.beersandstory.com to help us all process the shock and pain of this huge loss, as our wonderful memories of Bob will sustain us.

We Entrusted Robert Chunyk's Care To

Beers and Story - South Hadley

Beers and Story first opened our doors almost 100 years ago and we have been active members of the community ever since. Three generations later, our mission remains the same: to provide compassionate, professional funeral and cremation services in South Hadley, Massachusetts. We take pride in helping our Western Mass community celebrate their loved ones and navigate loss.

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Tributes

Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Robert’s life with a heartfelt message.

Tina Champagne

Pam, Roland and Bob at RMW’s open house.

Published August 19th, 2024

Diane Samble

My Husband, Charles and I are so devastated to hear this very sad news. All of our Prayers and Thoughts go out to Sue and Pray they will help to sustain her during this heartbreaking time. Bob was a Shining Star and a joy to be around. Always so full of Life and Energy. He made us smile and laugh every time we were in his company. We will miss Bob as will anyone who knew him. Rest in Peace, Bob. Your journey and struggle is over. You will be healed now and we will meet again one day.

Published August 16th, 2024

bruce gordon homis

This is a sad day for the Islip Class of 1963. We all mourn the loss of one of our own. Bob ("Chunky") was one of the best and will be sorely missed. RIP...

Published August 12th, 2024

Tina Champagne

Bob was one of my dad’s absolute dearest friends, and Bob and Sue have been very close friends to our family for many, many years. He was there for us at many different events over the years and then when we lost my father, then my mother, and helped to “coach” us through so much that we encountered with Roland’s Motor Works as well. He and Sue have been at RMW’s many open houses over the years and Bob often MC’d. Then came the memorial rides where he and Sue were always there, he spoke again for us, and they would ride with the motorcycle pack with his awesome Red Nova making sure everyone was safe. 😊. To say he was a friend really doesn’t cut it. He and Sue were, and always will be, part of our family. This is what nobody, and nothing can take from us, the love and light that will forever be on our hearts that is them within us! ♥️. That said, Bob had the same fun hearted, need for speed, that my dad had… and the two were peas on a pod - Bob would often get photos (evidence) to show us all as well. Like the one attached where Bob told me my dad was getting his boat to go as fast as he could as Bob was taking pictures - over 75 mph I’m sure. The best tribute I can think of giving Bob (and my parents) is to try to celebrate their lives with our deepest love and honor and to do whatever it takes to keep living our lives to the fullest - like they did. It is hard to do after such extreme loss but that is the goal. Bob had so much love and was a bright light that just radiated out of him. That gives me a goal to shoot for, even in the midst of such deep loss. Thank you Bob (and Sue) for being family to us crazy Tessier’s and if there is anything we can do to help you please do not hesitate.

Published August 18th, 2024

Joe Esile

Did you ever learn something about Robert that surprised you?

Bob was a good human being. When his wife Gloria died he continued looking after and caring for her family until his passing. He made sure to get them at the holidays and cart them around so they could see everyone. Many years have passed and people grew up, had their own family’s , moved away and passed on but Bob always stopped by to chit chat at my shop and I will miss that. He was the only person in my family that could really relate to my love of motorcycles and we even did a couple rides and enjoyed talking about them but they were some of the slowest rides of my life😁. I’m not a religious guy and I have my doubts about what happens when we’re gone but I’d like to think that if there is a heaven that Bob is there and has a brand new Harley Davidson softail. Godspeed, Bob.

Published August 13th, 2024

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