A major benefactor of the Boardman Local School System, as well as Boardman Park, Dr. James Chengelis, 58, died on Wed., Oct. 2, of a heart attack.
      Dr. Chengelis, a 1973 graduate of Boardman High School, moved on to practice psychiatry in Boston for more than 25 years, before relocating back to his hometown this summer.
      While he lived and practiced in Massachusetts, Dr. Chengelis never forgot his hometown. He was a frequent contributor to his elementary school, Stadium Drive Elementary School.
      Dr. Chengelis gifted his former elementary school in many ways.
      He was the major contributor to the construction of a new library at the school, named in honor of his parents, Evelyn and Theodore. He provided another, sizeable donation to help create a science lab at the school. And, every September since the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorist attacks hit New York City and Washington, D.C., Dr. Chengelis donated some 500 miniature American flags used by students to commemorate the attacks.
      At Boardman Park, he donated three, very large and unique maple trees that were planted in memory of his parents, as well as a sister, Patricia F. Chengelis.
      “Trees, they connect the Earth to the universe,” Dr. Chengelis said, recalling he felt “strongly about giving back to the Earth and his home, Boardman, where my roots are.”
      In 2011, Dr. Chengelis was an honored recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award given by the Boardman High School Alumni Association.
      In 2012, he was honored by proclamation of the Boardman Township Trustees.
      “The Trustees of Boardman Township tender this proclamation of recognition to thank Dr. Chengelis for his commitment to the causes and institutions of our community and for his continuing interest and efforts in making Boardman A Nice Place to Call Home,” said the proclamation.
      Additionally, Dr. Chengelis established several scholarship endowment funds at Boardman High School, Youngstown State University and the University of Toledo.
      Dr. Chengelis earned both his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Youngstown State University.
      He then earned his masters and medical degree at the Medical College of Ohio at the University of Toledo.
      He has spent most of his professional career in Massachusetts, including as assistant professor of psychiatry at the Boston University School of Medicine. He also provided psychiatric consultation, liaison and emergency services at the Boston University Medical Center.