In Fond Rememberance: John W. Chromy (India 3)

On October 19, 2024, John W. Chromy (India III) and enthusiatic Friends of India member, passed away. He is greatly missed.

Obituary

John Chromy

October 11, 1942 - October 19, 2024

John William Chromy, age 82, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, has concluded a full life of service, countless friendships, and worldwide adventures. John was born in New Prague, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm with his parents, Stanley W. Chromy Sr. and Mary R. (Horejsi) Chromy, and his eight siblings. He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and graduated from New Prague High School in 1960. He attended St. John's University but left in 1963, answering President Kennedy's challenge for young Americans to serve in the newly formed Peace Corps. After two years of service in India as a Peace Corps volunteer (1963-65), he returned to St. John's University and finished his B.A. in History in 1964.

A natural leader, John shared his early adventures with his first wife, Patricia Ward Chromy (1942-1984), and their two daughters, Maureen and Caroline, serving as Peace Corps staff in India (1967-1969) and Peace Corps Director of the Eastern Caribbean (1977-1979). John’s commitment to service and peace impressed the first Director of the Peace Corps, Sargent Shriver, and his wife, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics. They appointed him U.S. National Director for Special Olympics in 1981. In 1990 John joined CHF International (now Global Communities), a humanitarian aid organization with close ties to the Peace Corps. He served in several leadership positions and developed the Community and Economic Revitalization through Democratic Action program model, which emphasizes economic development, job creation, community stabilization, and infrastructure reconstruction led from and by local communities rather than political or national leaders. In 2003, Global Communities created its “Sargent Shriver Award” to honor individuals who best embody the ideals of the Peace Corps selecting John as the first recipient, with Sargent Shriver himself presenting the award.

Throughout his life, John enjoyed time with his family and friends, sharing good food and thoughtful dialogue with everyone he met, from hometown friends, local people from all walks of life and heads of state, many of whom he met in his travels to over 55 countries. He continued his travels and his joy of life with his wife Nora Rodriguez Chromy over the last four decades in Washington D.C./Maryland. He remained an advocate and documentarian of the Peace Corps and all its accomplishments.

John is survived by his wife, Nora Rodriguez Chromy; his daughters Maureen (John) Nichols, Caroline (Tom) Gort and Monica (Keith) Kellison; his grandchildren, William Nichols, Emily Nichols, Max Gort, Shania Kellison, Janelle Kellison, and Alexis Kellison; his siblings, Tom (Diane) Chromy, Richard (Jan) Chromy, and Anne Marie Becker; sisters-in-law, Mary Catherine Chromy, Violet Chromy, and Karen Chromy; brothers-in-law, Norman Hallet and Tom (Mary) Ward of Peoria, IL; many nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to the George's Lucky Dozen Fund through the Friends of India Charities Page.