Obituary of Donald O. Chesworth, Jr. Esq.

Donald O. Chesworth Jr. Esq. 

Peacefully passed on June 23rd at age 84 after a brief illness and visits from his children and grandchildren.

Survived by wife, Marilyn Schantz-Chesworth; daughters, Cynthia Grace(John) Thompson, Deborah Kathryn(Chris) Bardeen; son, Donald O. Chesworth III (Brittney); grandchildren, Haydon & Savannah Thompson, Grace Bardeen, Noemi and Jacob Chesworth.

After graduating from Yale Law School in 1966, Don joined the FBI and was in the last class to be congratulated by J. Edgar Hoover.  The FBI sent him to Rochester NY where he remained throughout his career.

Following his federal service he transitioned to private practice and then moved into the public sector advancing to First Assistant District Attorney and then elected District Attorney in 1981.  He was appointed as the 9th Superintendent of the New York State Police in 1983 by Governor Mario Cuomo.  

After returning to private practice he co-founded Harris & Chesworth.  He served on several boards including the Monroe County Chiefs of Police Association, State and Provincial Division of International Chiefs of Police, Monroe County Civil Service Commission, Humane Society of Rochester, the New York State Trooper Foundation, Crime Stoppers, Rochester Community Boating Foundation and LifeSpan.

He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and cruising on his sailboat the "Independence" and served as the Commodore of the Rochester Yacht Club.

He spent many years at Tully-Rinckey, where he served as Managing Partner. He was honored with Attorney of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Family will receive friends on Monday, July 6th from 4-7pm at Paul W. Harris Funeral Home, 570 Kings Highway. Interment is private at Boughton Hill Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations to Rochester Community Boating Foundation or The Humane Society of Rochester.