Obituary for Senior Airman Royal Charles Henry Ciancanelli
GOLDSBORO, NC – Senior Airman Royal Charles Henry Ciancanelli, United States Air Force, passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Lenoir County, NC following injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was 21.
Royal was born in Poughkeepsie on May 28, 1999 and graduated from Beacon High School in 2017. During high school, he enjoyed working for his family’s business, Royalty Carpet, which his grandfather opened in 1978. The summer after his graduation, he worked at Mid-Hudson Sporting Clays in New Paltz. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and began basic training in San Antonio, TX followed by technical training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He then served at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany and was transferred to Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina, where he had been stationed since December 2020. A member of the Air Force’s Civil Engineering Squadron known as the “Dirt Boyz”, Royal worked as a heavy equipment operator maintaining the Air Force’s runways, roadways, and infrastructure.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing and target shooting, in addition to his passion for Jeeps and 4-wheel adventures. He was also a member of the Beacon Jeep Club. A Hudson Valley native, he especially loved exploring Mount Beacon and excursions throughout the region. Royal loved sitting by campfires and listening to music with his family and friends. He was a member of the Faith Assembly of God Church in Poughkeepsie.
Royal is survived by his parents, Royal D. and Jodi (Bradford) Ciancanelli; his sisters, Olivia & Abbey Ciancanelli; his grandparents, Patricia Bradford, Patricia Nevins, and Royal E. Ciancanelli & his wife Maureen; his great-grandmother, Sharon Nevins; as well as a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Charles H. Bradford.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 7 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 8 at Faith Assembly of God Church, 25 Golf Club Lane, Poughkeepsie, NY with Pastor Edward Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery, 801 Route 9, Fishkill, NY. The U.S. Air Force will conduct full Military Honors. PLEASE NOTE: In compliance with NYS guidelines, social distancing and face masks will be required and capacity may be limited. All attendees should be prepared for potential extended waiting periods. For those who cannot attend, all calling hours and services can be watched via livestream on the funeral home website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO), a remarkable volunteer organization that personally assisted Royal’s family during this tragic time of need.
For online tributes and livestream access, you can visit Royal’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.
Royal was born in Poughkeepsie on May 28, 1999 and graduated from Beacon High School in 2017. During high school, he enjoyed working for his family’s business, Royalty Carpet, which his grandfather opened in 1978. The summer after his graduation, he worked at Mid-Hudson Sporting Clays in New Paltz. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and began basic training in San Antonio, TX followed by technical training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He then served at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany and was transferred to Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina, where he had been stationed since December 2020. A member of the Air Force’s Civil Engineering Squadron known as the “Dirt Boyz”, Royal worked as a heavy equipment operator maintaining the Air Force’s runways, roadways, and infrastructure.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing and target shooting, in addition to his passion for Jeeps and 4-wheel adventures. He was also a member of the Beacon Jeep Club. A Hudson Valley native, he especially loved exploring Mount Beacon and excursions throughout the region. Royal loved sitting by campfires and listening to music with his family and friends. He was a member of the Faith Assembly of God Church in Poughkeepsie.
Royal is survived by his parents, Royal D. and Jodi (Bradford) Ciancanelli; his sisters, Olivia & Abbey Ciancanelli; his grandparents, Patricia Bradford, Patricia Nevins, and Royal E. Ciancanelli & his wife Maureen; his great-grandmother, Sharon Nevins; as well as a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Charles H. Bradford.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 7 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, NY. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 8 at Faith Assembly of God Church, 25 Golf Club Lane, Poughkeepsie, NY with Pastor Edward Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery, 801 Route 9, Fishkill, NY. The U.S. Air Force will conduct full Military Honors. PLEASE NOTE: In compliance with NYS guidelines, social distancing and face masks will be required and capacity may be limited. All attendees should be prepared for potential extended waiting periods. For those who cannot attend, all calling hours and services can be watched via livestream on the funeral home website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO), a remarkable volunteer organization that personally assisted Royal’s family during this tragic time of need.
For online tributes and livestream access, you can visit Royal’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.