Francis E. "Butch" Chom

Francis E. “Butch” Chom, and lovingly referred to as Opa, passed away peacefully January 22, 2021 at the age of 84, surrounded by his loving family.  He was born February 15, 1936, in Painesville.

Butch was employed by Ohio Rubber, Uniroyal and Fasson.  He retired in 1997 to enjoy being with his wife, children and grandchildren.  Many days and nights Butch and his wife Helga took comfort in sitting by their pond listening to the water falls, enjoying the many birds, wildlife and looking over many uniquely beautiful flower gardens. 

He was a CYO football coach for St. Mary’s in Painesville for many years.  He spent many days coaching and counselling young boys teaching them respect of self and others.  For the past 40 plus years Butch would put up a Christmas Village display.  It originally started as a humble gingerbread town which evolved into an even larger magical display featuring electric trains and a collection of ceramic houses.  He also had a favorite hangout which was Silvestro’s Depot Cafe, where his father took him as a young boy.

He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force, in Penzing, Germany where he would meet his future wife and life partner.  Many gatherings were held at their home, be it many family meals, holidays, graduation parties or just hosting many good lifelong friends.  He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Survivors are his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Helga F.M. [Fichtl] Chom; children, Francis A. (Iva) Chom, Michael J. (Christine) Chom, Ronald A. (Leslie) Chom, Sonja M. (Michael Cesen) Chom-Cesen, Christopher J. (Christina) Chom and Edward E. (Claudia) Chom; grandchildren, Amanda Rae Chom, Lynnea Smith, Haley Chom, Joseph Chom, Alex Chom, Stefanie Lehmann, Anthony Chom, Benjamin Chom, Andrew Chom, Marcus Chom, John Cesen and many great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alex E. and Mary Ann (Pozca) Chom Sr.; brothers, Joseph Chom, Alex E. Chom Jr. and sisters, Dorothy (Chom) Kozsey, Rosemary (Chom) Leonard.

A celebration of life will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at Spear-Mulqueeny Funeral Home, 667 Mentor Avenue, Painesville.

Memorials may be made, in his name to Painesville Railroad Museum, 475 Railroad Street, Painesville, OH 44077.

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