Michael J. Chrest

Michael J. Chrest, beloved son of the late Eileen (nee Kinney) and Mitchel Chrest, was born on December 29, 1961. He passed away on April 30, 2026.

Mike and his five siblings were raised on Taylor Avenue in Drexel Hill, PA. Mike attended Garrettford Elementary School in Drexel Hill before enrolling at Monsignor Bonner for high school. Mike enjoyed close friendships with his neighborhood gang and spoke often and fondly of years spent shooting hoops at Garrettford and playing stickball on Taylor Ave.

After graduating from Bonner, Mike continued his education at Drexel University in Philadelphia before eventually becoming a father – the great joy of his life – to his two daughters, Megan and Jill. Mike never missed a field hockey game or the opportunity to cut a rug with Meg and Jill (and their many friends, all of whom adored him) at Merion Mercy’s Father-Daughter dances. Mike’s devotion to and pride in his daughters defined who he was and informed how he lived his life. He was a constant and reliable source of support, which he gave generously and without judgment, and nothing fulfilled him more than nurturing his relationships with Meg and Jill and watching them succeed.

For many, Mike was the guy to call when you found yourself in a bit of a bind. While his solutions may not have been strictly street legal, Mike always found a way to deliver in a pinch. This desire to help and be of service to others served him well throughout all his years, especially so as he began work as a grocer. Whether at Scott’s Market or Marwin’s Shop N Bag or - most recently - Colonial Village, Mike found great joy and derived true purpose from interacting with and helping his customers. His humility and innate love of people allowed him to form close friendships with the people he served. He cherished those relationships and spoke of them often.

Mike was blessed to have lived his life surrounded by his incredible family: his siblings, their spouses, his sons-in-law, his five grandchildren, and his many nieces and nephews. Mike’s siblings and in-laws were particularly instrumental in both Mike’s life and in his daughters’ lives. They provided him with endless support, laughter, and comfort throughout his life and he was so grateful for and proud of his relationships with each of them.

Mike adored being a grandfather. He babysat weekly for Noel, Gwen, Callie, Jack, and Olive and loved watching them grow. He approached being a grandfather with the same enthusiasm he had toward fatherhood. His grandchildren knew that they were loved and supported and that Mike was their biggest fan.

Mike will be remembered for his wit, his laugh, and his love of his family. But mostly he will be remembered for his ability to make those around him feel celebrated, noticed, and loved. His capacity for forming strong and meaningful relationships was unmatched and his loss will be felt by all those who were blessed enough to have been in his orbit.

Michael is survived by his daughters, Megan Staniszewski (Mark) and Jill Doyle (Michael); grandchildren, Noel, Gwen, Callie, Jack, and Olive; Siblings, Mitchel Chrest (Maureen), Kathy O’Keefe (Bill), Patty McNevin (Rich), David Chrest, and Maryann Howard (Matt); and his many beloved nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to Michael’s viewing 6:00-8:00 PM, Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at The Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA and to his Funeral Mass 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at St. Pius X Church, 220 Lawrence Road, Broomall, PA.

In lieu of flowers, our family invites you to honor Michael’s memory with a donation supporting causes that meant so much to him and the ones he loved most—helping those affected by cystic fibrosis and ovarian cancer.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF Together Foundation): Checks payable to “CF Together Foundation” (Paul and Lauren Chrest) may be mailed in memory of Mike to: 228 Oxford Hill Lane, Havertown, PA 19083

Ovarian Cancer: Donations can be made online at the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation: https://www.sandyovarian.org/