Phil Chenier of Dorr died of a heart attack Friday while vacationing in Florida. He was 75.
He was born Aug. 15, 1946, to Louis Chenier and Lula Morgenstern (Price) in Grand Rapids and moved to Hilliards at the age of 6 when his mother purchased the Hilliards Tavern. It was at this time that he met his Pogodzinski neighbors and became best friends with Jack.
He attended St. Stanislaus Catholic School through eighth grade. After graduating from Hopkins High School in 1964, he went on to study at Western Michigan University, and was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam in 1969.
Before leaving for the Army, Phil met and married his bride, Von (Lavonne) O’Connor March 7, 1969. His daughter Lisa was born while he was serving. Upon his return from the war, he became a police officer for the City of Wyoming. In 1973, Phil and Von were blessed with another daughter, Erin.
The family built a home in Hilliards in 1977 and had resided there ever since. Phil and Von recently celebrated 53 years of marriage.
Phil served in many roles over the course of his career as a police officer, most notably as a polygraph examiner and detective, retiring as a captain. He finished his degree at Grand Valley State University and later went on to graduate from the FBI National Academy. He served until his retirement in 2002 after 31 years.
He found ways to relax by spending time near the water at family and friends’ cottages on Payne Lake, Miner Lake, Ten Mile Lake (Canada) and Morrison Lake. He went out on top as a champion of his golf league with his best buddy, Jack Pogodzinski.
He is survived by his wife, Von; sister, Marie (Joe) Rybiski; aunt, Mary (Price) Jorae; children Lisa (Brian) Kukulies and Erin (Pat) Cunningham; Spanish daughter (exchange student of many years), Blanca (Miguel Angel del Rio) de Paz; grandchildren Matt (Jill nee Miller) Kukulies, Kurtis Cunningham, Luke Cunningham, Isaac Kukulies, Connor (Kelley nee Kloska) Kukulies; and “bonus grandkids” Josh Kukulies, Cova del Rio and all the Kukulies exchange students Timmy, Frank. Lennart, Andrea, Fran, and Laureen; and great-grandchild, Arlen Heinz Kukulies (son of Matt and Jill). He also will be missed by his large O’Connor family Donna (Paul) Burmania, Barb (Don) Thompson, Bonnie (Jim) Teunissen, Wayne (Judy) O’Connor, Jan (Russell’s wife) O’Connor, Dale (Terri) O’Connor, Cheryl (Ed) Davis; and many nieces and nephews. Phil held a special place in his heart for his lifelong best friends Jack and Eileen Pogodzinski, Larry and Pat Silvernail, and Marge Cline.
Phil was preceded in death by his mother and father; mother- and father-in-law Ann and Matt O’Connor; second wife, Mae O’Connor; sister, Syndey (Bud) DeVries; brothers-in-law Russell O’Connor and Scott O’Connor; nephew, Greg Burmania; aunt and uncle Marion and Earl Brooks; as well as friends Jerry Cline and Glenda Silvernail.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 18 at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 4330 18th St., Dorr. A Rosary will be held at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2022 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 1871 – 136th Ave., Dorr.
In lieu of flowers and in memory of Phil (and in honor of his grandson Kurtis), contributions may be made to The Williams Syndrome Association, 560 Kirts Blvd., Ste. 116, Troy, Michigan 48084-4156.
