Chester "Chet" Risio

We are grateful for the life of Chester "Chet" Anthony Risio of Rye Brook, NY who died peacefully on Nov 6, 2021. After a long and happy life, he passed in his sleep at Calvary Hospice in the Bronx, NY, with all the prayers and love of his family and friends.

Born in 1928 in Port Chester, NY to Julius and Vincenza (Jennie) Risio, he lived in Port Chester for most of his life. He attended Port Chester public schools and, as a young man, worked at various local places such as Levine's Army & Navy, Playland, and Marvel Mystery Oil.  He was drafted into the Army and served stateside during the Korean War, at Ft. Rucker, Alabama and Ft. McPherson, Georgia. An artilleryman, he was an excellent marksman and the battalion artist, eventually working for Third Army Headquarters doing graphic design. After his service ended he attended the Phoenix School of Art in New York City on the GI Bill.  He created many illustrations for pulp magazines of that era and gained some success as a commercial artist.  Eventually, he interviewed for a job with a company called Way Color, whose owner had pioneered the art of retouching on color transparencies. In those pre-digital days, this was a way of manipulating artwork for publication in advertisements, magazines, consumer packaging, etc. With a partner, Chet eventually bought out the owner, and they ran Way Color successfully for over 40 years until he retired in 1994.

Chet met his wife, Virginia "Ginny" Blunt at a party with the White Plains Ski Club in 1956. They married in 1959 and lived together in Port Chester for over 55 years, and then recently in Rye Brook, until her passing this past September. They travelled the world and hosted many parties and dinners with wonderful friends, and for over 60 years together, skied at Mad River Glen in VT and camped at Lake George, NY. 

Chet was enamored of anything Western - movies, artwork, the landscape, the lore. He took a trip he'd been dreaming of all his life - a cattle drive in Montana in 1997, and again in 1999 for what was billed as “the last cattle drive in the 20th century.” Western themes were the focus of much of the artwork he created.  

In recent years, Chet was also very involved with the Greenwich Retired Men's Association.  He enjoyed the weekly meetings and presentations, served as the scribe for the newsletter, brought many of members' life stories to the group through his lively writing, and made many good friends.

Chet was predeceased by his wife Ginny; they are survived by their daughter Pamela Ferraro of Greenwich, CT (with her husband Vinny and their children Sophia and Victor), and their son Charles "Chuck" Risio of Boalsburg, PA (with his wife Erika and their children Elise and Jack). He was a warm and loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and friend, and is truly missed by all who knew and loved him.  Jack Daniel’s distillery will also miss his patronage...

A memorial service for Chet and Ginny is planned for early 2022.

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