George Edward Chellew
October 2, 1946 - September 9, 2022
George Edward Chellew, age 75, of Middletown, DE and formerly of New Castle, passed away on Friday, September 9, 2022.
Born in Harrisburg, PA on October 2, 1946, he was the son of the late Robert Chellew and Arnetta “Jane” Heisey. George grew up in Hummelstown, PA, where he graduated from Lower Dauphin High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Education at Bloomsburg University, where he played basketball, then later earned his master’s degree at University of Delaware.
George started his career teaching in Pennsylvania for his first year, and went on to teach Math at William Penn High School for 32 years. He then retired from teaching at St. Mark’s High School after 12 more years.
George coached Girls’ Basketball at William Penn High School, Wilmington College and St. Mark’s High School. He was competitive but fair! George believed in the fundamentals and playing the game the right way. He was well respected for his coaching style and beliefs; George believed in fair playing time and not running the score up. He loved to win and has many trophies, jackets and plaques to show his success. George’s greatest accomplishment was his 1993 girls’ basketball team winning the State Championship beating Padua and completing a perfect season with a 26-0 record! He got a license plate that said WP26-0, he was so proud!
Passionate about sports, George enjoyed coaching basketball, refereeing soccer, umpiring baseball, and following local high school sports. When he wasn’t participating in the game, he could often be found watching UD football, Atlanta Braves Baseball, Georgia Football or UNC Men’s Basketball. George was always wearing attire from one of his favorite teams. He loved going to Vegas during March Madness to watch and bet on the NCAA Basketball tournament. George had quite a knack for analyzing stats, picking games and figuring out spreads. He was often referred to as the “Guru!”
Outside of sports, George loved going to the beach, listening to oldies and pop music, traveling and enjoying his favorite local hot spots. In New Castle, you could find him at Portofino’s, The Doghouse and Buffalo Wild Wings, and in Bethany at Grotto’s, The Big Chill, The Bethany Diner and The Boathouse.
Above all, George was dedicated to his family. You could always count on him to be watching his children and grandchildren’s sports and activities. Regardless of how near or far, he never missed a game! He was our biggest fan!
George was a good man! He was a great father, husband, Poppy, teacher, coach, neighbor and friend. George was loyal, kind, fair, professional and had a heart of gold. He loved socializing and meeting people; he made friends wherever he went. George was a proud teacher and coach, and made a difference in his students and athletes’ lives. There is nothing he loved more than teaching and coaching. His goal was to challenge you to be the best you could be!
In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia S. Chellew; and stepfather, Robert P. Heisey. He is survived by his children, Thomas G. Chellew (Jennifer), Danielle C. Arabis (Christopher) and R. Brent Chellew (Shannon Harris); and his grandchildren, Christopher, Brendan, Jonathan, Lauren and Jackson.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9 am until 11 am on Monday, September 19, 2022, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a Celebration of Life will begin at 11 am. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in George’s name to Cadia Healthcare Broadmeadow, Attn: Activities Department, 500 S. Broad Street, Middletown, DE 19709.
Thomas Chellew
Love and miss you Poppy!!!
Jeremey Bleue Clayton
Dear Tom & family,
My condolences on your loss. My prayers are with you all.
Bleue
Syd Goldberg
Joyce and I would like the family to remenber us as friends who enjoyed the ski slopes together as well as the beach at Salt Pond. Our sincere condolences are to be included included.
Kate Terranova
Rest peacefully George as you have given so much to others. I was so glad to know you.
Carol and Steve redden
God Speed George you raised great kids and we’re a role model for all!
Jim Lust
What a wonderful legacy! Love and prayers to family members.
Bruce Reynolds
George was a good coach, colleague and friend. I always enjoyed our time at his games and playing faculty basketball. Sending my sincere condolences to his family.
Richard M Farmer Jr
We were so saddened to learn of George’s passing. He was so resilient during his last illness, yet seemed so upbeat. We loved working with George during our years with the William Penn Girls Basketball program and saw first hand what a great coach and mentor he was. Our hearts go out to his children and grandchildren. We are keeping you all in our prayers.
Samantha Miller
What an amazing life and legacy!
Rest In Peace and love to all the Chellew/Arabis family members…
Jack Holloway
George was a great teacher/coach. He was very proud of his profession. George will live on in all those who came under his considerable influence. My sincere condolences to the family
Carol Minnich
Coach, An honor for me to be your aide and caregiver ! You are an awesome human with an awesome family. Earthly job well done- Pat and Coach. You will be missed !💕💕
Ken and Geri Schilling
Tom, Danielle, Brent
May your happy memories give you peace and comfort during this challenging time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Bruce Bendler
RIP sir
Dan Fromal
I was lucky to have played for Mr. Chellew when he first came to Delaware. He coached basketball at New Castle Middle. I was then blessed to have met Mrs. Chellew at a young age. George had an impact on my life and I knew that I could always count on him for advice. Through junior high and high school he always seemed to be there when needed. He was also a pretty darn good umpire in baseball. Being a pitcher I would look forward to pitching when he was behind the plate. His passing is a big loss for our community. Go join your wife in heaven and remember you will be missed.
Dawn McDowell
Rest In Peace coach Chelsea. You were a great coach.
Tanya W Bayard
Just loved talking with him in WP cafeteria. Peace and Comfort to his family
Brenda Goebel Denesowicz
Sending light and love to you all during this difficult time. 🙏
Tina Haslam McCall
It’s been 40+ years since graduating at William Penn, but I remember Mr. Chellew like it was yesterday. He was a great teacher!
Cheryl Darden
My condolences. Mr.Chellew was my favorite teacher. He made math make sense to me. I think of him from time to time while I teach Algebra. I was lucky to have had him as a positive role model.
Laurie Scott
My deepest sympathies to the family. It was an honor to know George and he will be greatly missed by all he touched.
Al Shoop
George was a member of Beta Sigma Delta Fraternity, Bloomsburg University. He was initiated in the 1st Pledge class in 1966!!!
Jenny Asbury - Class of 90
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Coach Chellew. I was lucky enough to have him as my high school basketball coach and math teacher at WPHS. Some of my fondest high school memories are on the basketball court. Coach Chellew made a huge impact on my life. I will always be thankful for his patience, time, and support. Over the years, we have crossed paths several times. I recently had the opportunity to visit him and reminisce about the “good old days”. There will never be a time when I see a North Carolina Tar Heels hat, shirt, or jacket and not think of him. I will miss you, Coach.
Katie Arabis
We loved George and will miss him! Praying for the Chellew family!
Jeri Kalinowski
So sad to hear this….I am the class of 89 Mr Chellew was my favorite teacher and such a great person what a loss to everyone who knew him….RIP Mr Chellew
Dennis Walker
What a Legacy!
Rest in Peace George.
Dennis Walker,
New Castle – Salesianum – Wilm. U Baseball
Angie Raimondo
I was saddened to hear Mr. Chellew passed away. He was a great math teacher who challenged me to never give up. I send my Condolences to his family, send my love and have his family in my prayers 🙏 ❤️
Amanda Kay
Coach Chellew’s Family (especially Danielle), I’m incredibly sorry for your tremendous loss and please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Coach’s impact and legacy lives on. He was a tough coach and as his opponent for years, I only cared about earning his respect. He was the best and I am a better person for knowing him!! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful man with the world.
Lisa Moody
So sorry to hear of your passing. Thank you for being a great teacher.
RIP Mr. Chellew.
Beth Book Donovan
My sincere condolences to the family. George was a wonderful teacher and basketball coach. He was steady, fair and kind. I’m saddened to hear of his passing
Bernice (Wesley) - Class of 86
So sorry to hear about Coach Chellew’s passing. My condolences to Danielle, Brent, Tommy, and the rest of the family. Coach Chellew was a great coach, and an inspiration to me. His words empowered me, and made me believe I could make a difference on and off of the basketball court. Coach Chellew lived a full life and his memories will live on through all of the lives he touched.
Magnus Gustafsson
Dear Chellew family,
My thoughts are with all of you! I have so many great memories and I am so greatful to have known George. The doghouse was “our” place!
Love
Magnus
Krysia Tramont
I was so saddened to hear about the passing of George. I enjoyed our 12 years of teaching together at Saint Mark’s.
I could always count on him to talk sports usually Cubs vs Braves. My condolences to the entire family. May you all remember all the good times. George will be in our prayers.
John Fiorelli
In addition to being a great family man, George was a pro at everything that he did—teach, coach, umpire, and loyal fan of the Braves and North Carolina. His undefeated 1993 William Penn team was the best basketball team to ever play in Delaware.
JOHN O'CONNOR
George, my dear and fun friend. I will forever treasure our memories, decades-worth. “Post-game analysis” at Portofino’s or Bull’s Eye, which usually lasted until closing, a “field trip,” to Pittsburgh for a hoops clinic, countless Vegas trips for March Madness, Beef and Beers at St E’s, the Grease Band at The Cork….words can’t describe the memories. You’re with your Pat now, and that gives solace. Bless you both, and Tom, Danielle and Brent. It’s said that our children are messengers to a future that we’ll never see, and our six children have, and will, do us proud in that respect.
Bill Campbell
Tommy, Danielle and Brent, I can’t tell you how sad I am to learn of your father’s passing. I grew up with George in Hummelstown and spent many a day with him playing one sport or another or just hanging out. We played together on many Lower Dauphin teams as well as Hummelstown town teams. I attended your parents marriage. I am also saddened to hear of Pat’s death in April. In our early years of marriage our families would visit and I only knew you three as little tykes in New Castle. From the pictures in the video it appears you’ve all grown up to be fine adults your parents were certainly proud of. My wife Donna and I pass along our condolences to you and the extended Chellew family. God Bless.
Ed Short
I was sorry to hear of George’s passing. George and I were colleagues at New Castle Middle and William Penn. He had a genuine interest in his students both in the classroom as well as in an athletic environment. My sincere condolences to the Chellew family.
John Dorsheimer
Sorry to learn of George’s passing. He was a great teammate and friend on both the Lower Dauphin and Hummelstown baseball teams. Also, one of Lower Dauphin’s greatest basketball players. I remember going to old Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia with George and Bob to see the Milwaukee Braves with Hank Aaron back in the 1960’s.
Jennifer Dacey
My prayers go out to all of your family. Mr. Chellew was one of my best teachers and was always so pleasant when we became neighbors. May he Rest In Peace now that he is with Mrs. Chellew again.
Jenn Dacey
Shawn Key
Mr Chellew it was such a honor to have known you.You we’re my pick from day one.You we’re always so sweet and kind and appreciative.You are your everlasting peace.You are truly missed.
Carol Matarese
George and Pat…..and all the Chellews were good friends during our Penn Acres days. Time and distance separates friends but not the good memories of wonderful times. To lose both so quickly is devastating. I have such fond memories and send my best to all of you during this time.
Your wonderful families now will support each other and move forward with much strength and grace. Love to all….
Joy Jones
Sending our sincere condolences at this time, your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for always being there for us.
Liz Skinner
Tom, Danielle, and Brent,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was a very special man and will surely be missed. I will not be able to attend the calling hours or funeral due to my work schedule, but you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Rest In Peace, George.
Dan & Mary Monagle
Very sorry for your loss. Mat he now Rest In Peace with your Mom. You will be missed.
John Gosnay
I knew George Chellew back in our teaching (coaching) days at WPHS. George was a special guy who enjoyed the comradeship of his many teaching and coaching friends. It has been quite a few years since I last saw him but the news of his passing is hard to deal with. I had intended on attending the visitation for George but I have been doing a lot coughing lately. GOD BLESS all of George’s loved ones
Thomas Chellew
On behalf of my Family, thank you all very much for celebrating the life of my father today. We loved him and miss him dearly; Mom too. Your friendship and kind words mean more than you can imagine & we sincerely appreciate it in our time of loss. But they’re reunited & not suffering. We’re good, together & Castle strong 🙂
Respectfully & much love,
Tom, Danielle, Brent and our family
PS Thank you Matt Smith, SM family Mitch, Justin, Lauren(?), Shannon(?) and the rest for taking care of UD & so very special care of both Mom & Dad.
Karen Annone
Danielle & family, I am sorry for the recent loss of your dad and your mom earlier this year which I just learned of. I remember your parents fondly. Sending my condolences and prayers to all of you during this difficult time.
Jack Musser
A truly great person and friend. I played high school basketball with George and could always count on him to compete on the basketball floor. I was really touched by his tribute I just watched. Last time I saw George was on the Labor Day weekend, 1965, when George, Esh and I went to Wildwood for the weekend. Shortly after that I went into military service and ended up living on the west coast. It is obvious that George raised a wonderful family and lived a fulfilling life.
Vin Majikas sr
My deepest condolences; my roommate at Bloomsburg state (60’s )