Stephen M. Cheff 1935-2020

He was born Aug. 15, 1935, in Youngstown, the son of Dominic and Mary Ann Henik Cheff and was a lifelong area resident. Whitey was proud to have grown up in the Brier Hill section of Youngstown and of his Italian heritage.

Whitey attended The Rayen School and then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force to help defend the liberties and freedom we live under each day. Whitey earned the rank of Airman 3rd Class and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal before receiving an honorable discharge on Sept. 7, 1956.

Whitey was employed for more than 35 years at General Motors Lordstown plant, working mainly on the line in the soft trim department along with doing many other tasks and retired in 2001. While working at General Motors, he also owned and operated Cheff’s Sunoco Gas Station on Federal Street which later moved to Mahoning Avenue on the West Side along with owning and operating, with his son, The Original Pour House located on the West Side from 1996 until 2006.

Whitey was a lifelong member of St. Anthony of Padua Church and a member of the United Auto Workers 1112 Retirees.

Whitey had many passions throughout his life. He enjoyed traveling with his wife to Atlantic City, going on family vacations to the beach, spending time with his family and especially going to his grandchildren’s sporting events, but what he loved most of all was sitting on his front porch smoking a good cigar. Whitey also enjoyed gambling and was most fond of horse races, playing cards or craps and throwing barbooth, if there was a game you could count Whitey in.

Whitey leaves behind to hold onto his memories his beloved wife of more than 57 years, the former Anita Anzelmo, whom he married Nov. 24, 1962, at Immaculate Conception Church; two children, Stephen (Terrie) Cheff of Howland and Stephanie (Tony Jr.) Pizzuto of North Jackson; seven grandchildren, James (Sarah) Cheff, Gina (Pete) Sudol, Niccolette Cheff, Santino (Liz) Pizzuto, Vincent Pizzuto, Anjelika Pizzuto and Anthony Pizzuto; three great-grandchildren, Braxton, Kali and Cal; a brother, Dominic (Rosemary) Cheff of Boardman; and a sister, Fran (George) Brandalick of Texas; along with many nieces, nephews, great- nieces and great-nephews, cousins and friends.

Whitey was preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Youngstown, with the Very Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Cariglio officiating.

Family and friends may pay their respects from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, at the Rossi and Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Youngstown, and again from 9 to 9:50 a.m. Thursday morning at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1125 Turin St., Youngstown.

Entombment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery, Austintown, with military honors provided by the great men of the Ellsworth VFW Post.

On behalf of Whitey’s family they would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Thomas Trakoff for more than 35 years of care and compassion that has been shown to them and to Whitey.

Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary, sign the guest book and send condolences to Whitey’s family.

(special notice)