Chase Alumni Association

Robert M. "Bob" Churilla, 84, who had a global career for nearly 30 years with Chase Manhattan, died on May 16, 2025. He was formerly of Williamsburg, VA; Princeton Junction, NJ; Manchester, CT; and, most recently, Bethlehem, PA.

 

Born in Hartford, CT, he grew up in Manchester, CT and graduated from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. During the Vietnam War era, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves as an aircraft engineer, maintaining and repairing military planes.

 

Early in his career, Churilla worked at Hamilton Standard in Connecticut, where he had the meaningful experience of working alongside his father. He later transitioned into international banking,  During his time at Chase, he helped lead operations throughout Latin America, as well as in Singapore, Tokyo, Zurich and London. His line of work was integral to the advent of the ATM, a transformative milestone in modern banking. 

 

Despite long commutes to Manhattan, Bob was a devoted father who made time for his family. Summers at the Cranbury Swim Club were full of joyful family moments and community.
He even played softball for the "Italian American" team in East Windsor – fitting in thanks to his last name, though he liked to remind people he was Czech, often saying with a smile, "Jak se máš?"

 

He was predeceased by his wife Jacquelyn "Jackie" (née Davis); his parents and his brother Edward (Eleanor) Churilla.

 

He is survived by two daughters, Carol (Robert) D'Anjolell and Lynda (John) Churilla-Walton, and their mother Barbara Churilla (née Kuryan); four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, born a day after his passing. He is also survived by four stepchildren, seven step-grandchildren, and seven step-great-grandchildren.