Ercole "Ark" P. Chiola

Ercole Pierpont Chiola, 95, of Sullivan’s Island, SC entered into eternal rest on Sunday, August 13, 2017.

E. P. "Ark" was born on August 21, 1921 in Philidelphia, PA to the Late Edmund Chiola and the Late Rose Bonello Chiola.

Ark grew up in Mays Landing, NJ in his childhood until he joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1942. In the Coast Guard he was placed under the authority of the U.S. Navy until the end of the war. He was transferred to Folly Beach, near Charleston, SC where remained until the end of the war. Ark was assigned to operate the Loran Station at Folly Beach in August 1946 where he met the love of his life Ruth Bevis. In 1948 they married and lived in Charleston until 1950. They moved to Sullivan’s Island where they raised their five children and resided the remainder of his life.

Ark went to work for the Charleston Naval Shipyard for four years and stayed in Civil Service transferring to the Naval Station in Charleston. He was a successful owner and operator of an electronic and television business East of the Cooper for many years.

Ark was the last of the five original Founders of the Sullivan’s Island Volunteer Fire Department, the Island Club, and the East Cooper Outboard Club (Gold Bug Island). He served on Sullivan’s Island Town Council, belonged to the Knights of Columbus and a longtime member of Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church. Ark was awarded The Order of the Silver Crescent.

Survivors include: John Joseph (Jean) Chiola Sr., of Holly Hill, SC, Patty (Doug) Watson, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Kathy (Buck) Raymond, of Chesapeake, VA; sister, Rose Ann C. Dukanovic, of Galloway, NJ; daughter-in-law, Debby Chiola, of Summerville, SC; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, loving spouse of 69 years, Ruth Bevis Chiola; sons, Anthony E. Chiola and Michael Patrick Chiola; brothers, John Joseph Chiola Sr. and Oscar Edward Chiola; sister, Stella Isabel Sacchinelli.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, August 17, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Mt Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt Pleasant, SC, 29464. Rosary to be recited at 5:00 PM.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, 1204 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, 29482. A burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 2090 Executive Hall Rd # 130, Charleston, SC 29407, Hospice of Charleston, 676 Wando Park Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, and Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, 1204 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, SC, 29482.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted to www.mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Mt Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Road Mt Pleasant, South Carolina, 29464, (843) 884-3833.