Chester Grzybowski, 106 years old peacefully passed away at the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Facility in North Chicago , January 3rd. He was a WWII veteran who fought in the Pacific earning two bronze battle stars. Chester also enlisted in the CCC building roads and lodges throughout the country during the depression. He lived a long, loving life filled with family, friends and summers at his cabin in Wisconsin fishing and boating . Possessing a good memory he enjoyed sharing stories about history, culture and life in the good old days. As a resourceful storyteller he was one of the few left who gave a valuable verbal eye witness account of history and life in America. Chester loved ballroom dancing and just before WWII met the love of his life Josephine. They married and had two children. Providing for his family he worked in the food industry at Hillmans in Chicago and continued at Jewel Food stores until retirement. An avid reader, he never failed to study the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times which were delivered to him even in hospice care where his room was filled with books. Chester was always known for his constant smile, easy going disposition and great big hugs for everyone, everywhere. His sunny disposition and open heart charmed people until the last days of his life. In hospice care, one volunteer who learned of Chester’s dream to become a civil engineer (derailed by the depression) informed Georgia Tech Institute where he became an honorary freshman at the age of 104! He took this honor seriously and began studying a book on trigonometry as he was always good at math and sciences. Chester is proceeded in death by his beloved wife Josephine and son Richard. He is survived by his daughter Carol-Anne Touchberry , granddaughter Kathey Lee Pelligrin (nee Galvin) and grandson Quenton Galvin and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to www.helpaveteran.org/donate, or www.adoptahusky.com. Visitation Friday from 3pm to 8pm at Ridge Funeral Home, 6620 W. Archer Ave., Chicago. Prayer service Saturday morning at 11:00am to funeral mass at St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church at 11:30am. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. (773)-586-7900 or www.ridgefh.com
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