Joseph George Chromy

Joseph George Chromy Sr., 86, of Sandy Spring, MD, and formerly of Ocala, FL, passed away after a brief illness on Monday, August 7, 2017, at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, MD. Born and raised in New York City, Mr. Chromy, known as Joe, attended the School of Industrial Design (now the High School of Art and Design). This led to his early work in the retail industry as a window trimmer with the Hecht Company in New York City. Later, Joe would work in a variety of management roles for major retailers including Mammoth Mart and Grossman's Lumber Company. Upon retirement, he opened an art supply and framing store in Framingham, MA called The Art Center. As a veteran of the Korean War, Joe proudly served in the Air Force on Kwajalein, in the Marshall Islands and at RAF Mildenhall, England. He worked as a heavy equipment mechanic and on special assignments, which often required his knowledge and skill in art and design. Joe was a past member of the American Legion Post 40 in Plymouth, MA and Oak Run Veterans Club in Ocala, FL. Joe was often involved in local politics and was elected as a selectman in Plymouth, MA and Center Ossipee, NH. He founded the group "FLUSH Title Five" (Families Living Under Septic Hardship) in Plymouth, MA, which successfully advocated for changes in state regulations in order to permit homeowners to update, rather than completely replace, septic systems that failed new standards. Joe enjoyed reading, photography, automobiles and politics. He also enjoyed writing letters and if he received great customer service, he would often write the president of the company recommending "a pay raise and a promotion" for the employee providing the service. Joe is survived by his beloved dog, Danny "the Wonder Dog", his children: Jo-Anne Van Der Vat-Chromy of Harrisonburg, VA; Kristina Tyssowski and her husband, Joseph, of Glenwood, MD; Katherine Jankowski and her husband, Bernard, of Poolesville, MD; Laura Bears and her husband, Bruce, of Medford, MA; Joseph Chromy Jr. and his wife, Debra, of Arlington, VA; Colin Chromy of Kingston, MA; Jen-Alice Chromy-Babb and her husband, Robert, of Weymouth, MA; and six grandchildren. Graveside service with military honors will be held on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Massachusetts National Cemetery. Joe would be honored to have memorial donations made to The Gary Sinise Foundation, which supports our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need (www.garysinisefoundation.org) or PlanetAid (www.planetaid.org).

Joseph George Chromy

December 2, 1930 - August 7, 2017