In Memoriam: Charles J. Coronella, Sr., 91

Head of Chase Bank of Arizona in 1990s

 
Charles (Charlie) J. Coronella, Sr., President and Chief Executive of Chase Bank of Arizona from 1991 to 1994, died in September 24, 2023 at the age of 91 in Scottsdale, AZ.
 
Born in Arlington, MA, Coronella earned a BS from Boston College, where he was a member of ROTC. After serving in the U.S. Army for two years, he earned an MBA from the University of Chicago.
 
Coronella had served as a consultant to The Chase Manhattan Corporation from 1990 to 1991. From 1989 to 1990, Coronella was responsible for the management of Chase Manhattan Bank's United States banking subsidiaries as Project Coordinator for Regional Banks.
 
Coronella was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Executive Service Corp. of Arizona beginning in 1995. He has been a Director of Acordia of Arizona since 1993 and became its Chairman of the Board in 1996.  
 
Before moving out to Arizona, Coronella served in the 1970s as President of the Scotch Plains-Fanwood (NJ) YMCA and two terms as a council member of the Borough of Fanwood, NJ.
 
After his move west, Coronella served as President of the Phoenix Art Museum from 2014 to 2016 and for many years as CFO of the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale.
 
Among his survivors are three sons and a daughter, and nine grandchildren.
 

 

 
 
 

 Remembrances

 
Please send remembrances to
news@chasealum.org
 
From Ron Mayer: I had the pleasure of working with Charlie while he was President of Chase Bank of Arizona, and earlier when he was a leader of the regional banking team. He had a sharp analytical mind and wonderful judgment. However, the traits I remember best are his friendliness and informality.  I have a vivid memory of his walking around the Chase Arizona headquarters, as President, saying hello to staff, not in a pro forma way but as a nice regular guy, which he was.
 
From Joe Murphy: In the early 1970s, I had the privilege of witnessing an exceptional banking executive. We were both part of the newly formed Domestic Institutional Banking Sector, where he served as Division Executive of the Western District while I managed relationships in the Northeast.
     What struck me most about Charlie Coronella was how he embodied executive leadership as one of the new, younger DEs. In our weekly Credit Review meetings, he was a role model for the younger officers. His articulation was precise, often punctuating serious discussions with well-timed humor. For a young banker like myself, these meetings became unofficial masterclasses in leadership.
     Our paths diverged when I moved to International Banking, but fate had other plans. Years later, in the early 1990s, we reconnected at the Phoenician Hotel in Arizona. He had "unretired" to return to Chase, called back to fix what needed mending – a testament to his valued expertise. (His return to Chase after a VRP is a story unto itself. Let’s leave that saga to others.). I was there representing a Philadelphia bank, exploring a technology company acquisition. I'll never forget that 7 am breakfast meeting on the outdoor patio. While I was unconsciously reacting to the fine mist in the air, he sat there with an amused smile, observing my response to the Arizona morning dew in June. That moment captured his essence – always aware, quietly observant, finding joy in life's small moments.
     In recent years, as I spent winters in Cave Creek, AZ, I tried to reconnect with him one final time. Unfortunately, his health prevented our meeting. Yet, even in absence, the lessons I learned from observing him remain vivid: the importance of precision in leadership, the value of maintaining humanity in business and the power of a well-timed smile.
     His legacy lives on in the countless professionals like myself who were fortunate enough to learn from his example. May he rest in peace.
 
From Bill Flanz: Between Global Credit and the New York City District, I spent my first six years at Head Office before going overseas for the next 13 years. During my time at HO, I had many occasions to meet with Charlie, whether it was doing a “Credit Referral” for him, or just bumping into him in the corridor, or dining with him in the 60th Floor Dining Room. Most Chase Alumni are probably too young to realize that back in the late 1960s, ALL officers ate on the 60th floor and flew First Class, regardless of the distance! 
     In those wonderful days, compliance was a noun, instead of a massive department, and KYC was an understood responsibility, not a Regulation. If Charlie were still with us, he would have something amusing to say about this. With his keen powers of observation and quick wit, Charlie would be able to deliver a discourse on how banking has changed! 
     Speaking of his wit, Charlie had a computerized mind, within which he had a library of jokes, all organized in such a manner that they could be downloaded in one second, using any combination of filters. Whatever topic was being discussed, Charlie would download a relevant joke and deliver it with his deadpan Boston accent. Some were a bit non-PC, at least by current standards, but they always elicited a laugh.
     Charlie touched and will be remembered by all who knew him.