James Douglas Chevalier
ST. ALBANS: James Douglas Chevalier, 71, passed away on Thursday, October 5th, 2023 at Halifax Hospice in Deltona, FL, with his family and friends by his side. He had been courageously battling pancreatic cancer for the past 18 months. Jimmy was born in St. Albans, VT on December 11, 1951, the son of Jeannette and Gordon Chevalier.
Jimmy grew up in St Albans and following high school graduation served four years with the United States Navy with two years in Cuba at Guantanamo Bay. He retired from a career with UPS in 2010 after spending nearly 30 years delivering packages and making hundreds of new friends throughout the Plattsburgh, NY region.
Jimmy was a professional musician most of his adult life. While picking up his first guitar at the age of six, he not only mastered that instrument but became highly proficient at other instruments as well. As a teenager, he formed his first band and that was only the beginning. As time went on, he played in numerous bands of growing popularity, ultimately reaching the pinnacle with his band Hammer. This band played to tens of thousands of fans up and down the East Coast and was offered a professional recording contract by Ben Kaye Productions. Upon relocation to Central Florida, he became a very popular solo artist playing from the Orlando area to Daytona Beach. Jimmy remained in demand throughout his final days.
Jimmy’s second hobby which he shared with his wife, Viki, was his love of his Afghan Hounds. Over the years both Jimmy and Viki raised and competitively showed them to their AKC championship status and beyond. Jimmy was so proud of his beloved dogs that once a conversation was started about them it was a long one.
Despite the love Jimmy had for both his music and his dogs, they paled in comparison to the love he had for his family. Jimmy married Viki Gregware 45 years ago, growing their family with the birth of their son, Shane, a little over 40 years ago. Without question, they were his purpose, his love, and his pride.
Jimmy is survived by his wife of 45 years, Viki and their son Shane. He is also survived by his loving siblings: Charles (predeceased) and his wife Kathy of Debary FL., Marie (Chevalier) Brissette and husband Richard of Chapin, SC., Jean Chevalier of Venice, Fl., Robert and his wife Kelly of Swanton, Thomas and his wife Kim of Swanton, Peter and his wife Jayne of St. Albans, Claire (Chevalier) Hungerford & husband Chris of Punta Gorda, FL, brothers and sisters-in-law James and Kathy Gregware of Orlando, Fl and Tom (deceased) and Bonnie Gregware of Plattsburgh, NY. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; his beloved dogs, Ronan, Zane and Taylor; and many dear friends whom he loved with all his heart — they know who they are.
There wasn’t a song by The Beatles that Jimmy did not love, however, the one he lived was All You Need Is Love. He didn’t just sing it throughout his life, he lived it to the very depth of his soul. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of his life will be held in the spring in Plattsburgh, NY.
To offer a message of condolence to Jimmy’s family, kindly go to www.healdfuneralhome.com
