Robert Chura

Robert, 'Bob', Peter Chura Senior, 92, of Sedona, Arizona died at Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood, AZ on January 30, 2017. Bob was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, WWII Veteran, skilled builder, craftsman and artist, who was active in his church and community. Born March 14, 1924 in Troy, NY, Mr. Chura was the son of Peter and Emily (Ulrich) Chura. He joined the Army in 1943 and after training as a surgical technician, served as a rifleman throughout Europe during WWII until 1945. After the war ended in Europe and while on a 30 day furlough awaiting deployment to the war in the Pacific, he met his late wife, Eleanor (Casio). The two were married December 9, 1945 and had 6 children. He completed his service with the Army in March 1946 as the war in Japan ended. He was employed as a machinist for William Karl and Sons and later at Kollsman Instrument Co. where he started as a draftsman and left as an engineer when the company relocated. He moved his family from Long Island to Jewett, NY in 1972 where he started Chura Construction Company. In later years he worked with his wife, Eleanor, to operate Chura Realty on Main Street in Windham. He enjoyed living in the mountains and had a love of nature. He was a man of faith and he and his wife, Eleanor, were devoted members of St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church in Windham for many years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. His grandchildren still remember the year that he designed and built a replica of Christopher Columbus' ship, the Santa Maria, with the Knights of Columbus for the parade. Mr. Chura was known affectionately to his many Grandchildren as 'Poppy' and used his woodworking skills to create beautiful gifts for them. A man of many abilities; he loved to cook, was a skilled artist, woodcarver, wood worker and had a passion for working with stained glass to recreate scenes from the bible. He is predeceased by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Eleanor (Casio) Chura, survived by his second wife, Joan Chura of Sedona, AZ and his six children – Robert Chura Jr (Elizabeth) of Maplecrest NY, Eleanor Phillips (Anthony) of Chandler AZ, Janice Schmid (Jim) of Bluffton SC, Marilyn Donohue (Brian) of Clearwater Fla, Jacqueline Goddeau of Athens NY and Jason Chura (Charlene) of Maplecrest NY. He is also survived by sixteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. A graveside memorial service will be held in the spring at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Ashland for family and friends.