John Jeffery Chernoski, 74, born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away on September 28, 2026, in Green Valley, Arizona.

John was the son of the late John S. Chernoski and Evelyn Grigalonis Chernoski of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Preceding him in death was his younger brother William.

John grew up in Xenia, Ohio. He attended Brunnerdale Minor Seminary High School in Canton and graduated from St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, in 1973, after which he received his Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1976.

From 1976 to 1980, John served on active duty as a JAG officer with the Naval Legal Service Office and Naval Support Activity in Philadelphia. He continued serving in the Navy Reserve until retiring in 1996. John was past president of two MOAA (Military Officers Association of America) chapters and was on the board of directors of the National Association. John continued to serve the United States as an active member of the Arizona Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and became the Area Chair for Southern Arizona. He was named the Ombudsman of the Year for 2013 and received the coveted Seven Seals Award, as well as the Outstanding Volunteer Award and the National Spirit of Volunteerism Award in 2023.

John spent more than two decades with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Division of Law before retiring in 2002 as a senior deputy attorney general.

He was an enthusiastic baseball fan and was able to see his beloved Cincinnati Reds win the World Series three times during his lifetime. His roles included being past president of the Ewing (New Jersey) Little League and working as an umpire—something he continued for the Copper Hills Little League in Sahuarita, Arizona. Fiercely proud of his heritage, John was a frequent contributor to Lithuanian Heritage Magazine. He combined these two passions and assisted in the establishment of professional baseball in Lithuania.

John spent a lifetime dedicated to service and advocacy for his country and community, but his most treasured role was that of a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. Determined to be an integral part of his son’s life, he often drove the carpool to ice hockey and baseball practices while assisting with coaching and a myriad of other

team duties. He loved playing golf, working in his garden, and mowing the lawn. In wintertime, he could often be found clearing walkways for neighbors and friends. While punctuality was his modus operandi, so were patience, loyalty, and a witty sense of humor that brought joy and laughter to those he held dear.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Agnes Ori Chernoski, originally of Highland Park, Illinois; his son, Stephen; his daughter-in-law, Jennifer; and his grandchildren, Brayden and Emma of Lambertville, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

● Copper Hills Little League P.O. Box 194, Sahuarita, AZ 85629