Prince Chunk, N.J. feline famous for being fat, has died

In the end, Prince Chunk had lost a lot of weight, but he still looked like a chunky cat.

In the two years since since he was found as a stray in New jersey after his owner lost her home to foreclosure, Prince Chunk weighed about 17 pounds, about five or six pounds less than when he was adopted by Vince Damiani of Blackwood, N.J.

And far less than the 44 pounds first reported that made Prince Chunk a national media sensation. At first he was known as Princess Chunk because of a gender mixup. Oh, the embarrassment!

It was determined that the princess was prince on a live segment of the Regis and Kelly show, Damiani recalled. And it is believed that the royal feline was never 44 pounds or close to it, he said.

Two years later, Prince Chunk was still a star. He was featured on a segment of the Early Show on CBS in October. Earlier this year, the Prince Chunk Foundation was created to help people in dire financial trouble feed and care for their pets.

About two weeks ago, Prince Chunk's health began to deteriorate.

"He was breathing a little heavier, nothing too serious, but it was noticeable," said Damiani, 20, who was selected from among 500 applicants to adopt the cat.

Prince Chunk, who was believed to be about 10 years old, was taken to a veterinarian and diagnosed with heart disease, which he was born with and not the result of his portly frame, Damiani said.

He was given medication and was doing well for a few days, but then he declined again.

On Sunday, the prince died in his sleep. He was cremated on Monday. The announcement of his death was delayed so the family could go through Thanksgiving without being bombarded by the media, Damiani said.

"Prince Chunk's legacy will continue to live on through the Prince Chunk Foundation," Damiani said.

Donation's in his memory can made to the foundation at http://www.princechunkfoundation.org/ or by mail to Prince Chunk Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 8044, Blackwood, NJ 08012-1522.