Lawrence Frank Chesto

Lawrence Frank Chesto passed away in his sleep at the age of 84 at the York Convalescent Center in Williamsburg, VA, on Oct 19, 2020. Mr. Chesto, or Larry as he preferred to be called, was a decorated veteran who served in the Vietnam war, with 20 years of service in the United States Air Force. After military retirement, he went on to a second decades long career as the Director of Telecommunications Systems, Industry Activities, at Aeronautical Radio Inc. (ARINC) in Annapolis, MD. To honor his work, his name is inscribed on the National Air and Space Museum’s Wall of Honor (https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/larry-chesto).

Larry was born on August 8, 1936 in Danbury, CT. He attended Bethel High School in Bethel, CT and graduated from the University of Connecticut (UCONN), later getting a master’s degree from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, PA. He was a devout Catholic, and member of the Knights of Columbus. He most recently attended St. Olaf’s church in Williamsburg, VA.

Larry was very proud of his Italian heritage, and studied his genealogy extensively. He contributed a story about his grandmother, Francesca Margotta Cestone, for author Mario Toglia’s books about connections from Calitri, Italy.

Larry had always had a passion for exploration and outer space. His early retirement was spent as an investigator for the Mutual UFO network (MUFON), a US-based non-profit organization composed of civilian volunteers who study reported UFO sightings. His hobbies also included fixing and rewiring practically everything, as well as travelling.

Larry was predeceased by three wives, all whom succumbed to cancer. Carol Chesto (nee Ward), mother of surviving daughters, Dorney Chesto Ruck and Moira Parham; Linda Chesto (nee Smith), mother of surviving daughter, Shawna Chesto; Marcy Chesto (previously Fentress), mother of surviving stepsons, James Fentress and Martin Fentress. He is also survived by four grandchildren – Asher, Caleb, and Max Ruck, and Olivia LeDoux, and his two brothers, Anthony Chesto and Edmund Chesto.

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, brother, and friend, and will be greatly missed.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to support the American Cancer Society (cancer.org), or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (alzfdn.org) should anyone choose. There will be a memorial service held at a time and date yet to be determined. His ashes will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.