Chester "Chet" F. Sidell

Chet was born in Boston and raised in Dorchester, MA, the son of Abraham & Emma Sidell. Chet is survived by his wife Faye Sidell, his son Gary Sidell, his wife Doreen, and grandchildren Matthew and Allison. His son, Randy Sidell, his wife Erica and grandchildren, Leah and Hadley. Daughter Kara Fisher, her husband David Fisher, their children Jack and Samantha. His sister, Marylin Tepper, her daughters Cheryl Miller and Nancy Tepper. His sister Iris Norris, her husband David Norris and their children Joshua Norris and Ami Norris-Brilliant.

This handsome young man spent his youth educated at the Boston English High School (’59) - and enjoyed summers with his family at Nantasket Beach. He was always inclusive and had a strong group of friends around him. Since the beginning, he had an instinctive desire to work and “make a buck”. Married his sweetheart, Faye, after meeting at a record hop dance, and married on July 3rd, 1966. They created a warm and loving home in Framingham, Mass, for their three children, Gary, Randy, and Kara and remained in the community for many years. In 1994, Chet and Faye were fortunate enough to establish a 2nd family home in Falmouth/Woods Hole. Chet spent any free moment he could down there (“at peace on the Cape”).

From his 1st job with a paper route, to movie theater usher, soda jerk at an ice cream parlor, and even worked at a bank, Chet strived to prove himself in any role he took on.

As a young adult, after many years working for Puritan Co., his entrepreneurial spirit inspired him to establish his own company based in Lawrence, MA focused on women’s wear manufacturing named after his three children, KGR, Inc. From humble beginnings with his original partner, Manny Sheinfeld, KGR grew to over 150 employees with offices in Lawrence, Dallas and New York City. Although his clothing could be found in likes of Nordstrom’s and Talbot’s, in partnership with his wife, they also built a local retail operation that drew folks from around the region to buy his clothing direct. It was a family affair.

Chet wasn’t satisfied with solely growing his business – he wanted to payback the community that welcomed and supported him in Lawrence. He envisioned a community that deserved a greater future – and he dedicated much of his advisorial time and financial contributions to various groups connected to that community.

Some of his favorite past-times were: Fishing with his grandkids, walking outside, appreciating music, listening to NPR/PBS, sporting quality men’s clothes, enjoying active discourse on current politics, reading weekly news magazines (“The Week”), dining at his favorite restaurants: Giacomo’s (North End), Gerardi’s (W. Yarmouth), Moonakis (Waquoit), loving to impart his wisdom on frequent phone conversations with his children, refurbishing antique furniture, and enjoyed making a big breakfast for his family.

Services at Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Rd., Wayland, MA on Sunday, December 23 at 11am. Burial will follow in the Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Rd., Wayland.

Following the burial, the family will receive visitors at their Falmouth home through 8pm and continuing Monday and Tuesday from 1-4pm and 6-8pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chet’s name to the Essex Art Center, https://www.essexartcenter.org or the Lawrence History Center, http://www.lawrencehistorycenter.org