Retired Supreme Court and Appellate Term Justice Philip J. Chetta of Malba passed away last week at the age of 85, from congestive heart failure.
Chetta was born and raised in Corona, where he attended St. Leo’s Catholic School and Newtown High School, as well as Queens College and St. John’s Law School.
He served with the 17th Airborne Division during World War II, where he received both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
From 1956 through 1966, Chetta was an Assistant District Attorney in Queens County, serving as Chief of the Homicide and Investigation Bureau. He also had a private law practice in Corona.
Appointed a Judge of the Criminal Court in May of 1969, Chetta was elected to the Supreme Court in 1975, re-elected in 1988 and appointed to the Appellate Term in 1992.
During his judicial tenure, Chetta presided over numerous homicide and major offense trials, and in one of the first cases of its kind, ruled on the admissibility of DNA evidence.
His many civic and professional memberships included the St. Leo’s Holy Name Society and Corona Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps., as well as the Corona Lions Club and the Columbian Lawyers Club, for both of which he was a Founding Member and Past President.
He was also a Lifetime Member of the Queensboro Elks and Veterans of Foreign Wars and Past President of both the Supreme Court Justices Association of the City of New York and of Queens County.
A wake was held at Lloyd’s Funeral Home in Bayside. A funeral Mass was held at Holy Trinity Church in Whitestone.
Chetta survived by his wife of 54 years, Ina, three daughters and six grandchildren.
James J. Higgins
James J. Higgins passed away on October 7.
Beloved husband of Catherine and loving father of James (Donna), Mary (Chris Perez) and Christopher (Christie Barricella).
Devoted grandfather of Coleen and Kevin Higgins, Christopher, Maryalice and Cynthia Perez, and dear brother of Daniel Higgins and the late Margaret Waitkus.
Funeral arrangements were handled by the Martin A. Gleason Funeral Home in Whitestone. A funeral Mass was held at our Lady of Fatima R.C. Church. Interment was at St. Charles Cemetery.
