Chester Marsh

Born in Boston, he was raised in the city’s West End neighborhood, a fact in which he took great pride in sharing.

He enlisted in the US Army in 1943 and went on the bravely and selflessly serve his country in World War II, participating in 4 of the 5 major battles in the war as an infantry radioman. He earned 6 medals during his time in combat and could recall vivid memories of his time throughout Europe, particularly the Normandy invasion in France. He was one of the “Iron Men of the Metz,” a group of America soldiers in the Battle of Metz from the 95th Infantry Division who were specially recognized for their bravery.

Upon returning home from the war, he worked several years for the Watertown Fire Department, also as a ship’s electrician for Military Sealift Command and then for several years as a firefighter for the Watertown Fire Department. For most of his working life, he was employed as a lineman as a member of IBEW Local 104, a career from which he retired at age 75.

He met and married Lorraine M. (MacMunn) Marsh, with whom he had 6 children. They shared more than 50 years of marriage before her passing in 2002. Chet had a second chance at love in his life when he met and married Bernice Landolfi-Marsh in 2008. She was a gift in his life and the couple had a shared love of dancing. She passed away in 2013 with Chet by her side. He will be lovingly remembered by his 2 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was an enthusiastic music lover and although having never played an instrument himself, he bestowed his love of music upon his children. He enjoyed dancing and frequented many South Shore venues over the years. The fellow dancers envious of his jitterbug and he had an endless list of potential dance partners wanting to pair up with him on any given evening.

Funeral services will take place privately. A Life Remembrance and Musical Tribute will take place at a later date, where Chester intended homage to be paid to so many musicians who he so greatly admired.

Chester was especially grateful for the devoted care and love he received from his daughter Lois Fagan of Pembroke and his hospice nurse, Krista Caferro of Old Colony Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude’s Childrens’ Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html or the ASPCA at https://www.aspca.org/ .