Floyd E. Chesbro Jr. passed away at home on July 24, 2016 from Parkinson’s Disease.
He was born to Bessie Mae (Cooper) and Floyd E. Chesbro, Sr. on November 23, 1935. Floyd attended Ledyard Public Schools, but after 8th grade, he saw the need to work full time to help support his family. He started working at Whittle’s Willow Spring Farm in Mystic and formed a friendship with that family that he valued immensely for all of his years.
He served in the Army from 1953 thru 1956, and was a Veteran of the Korean War. While in Korea, he met Charlie Louvin and the two shared their love of playing guitar and country music to get them through the war. Floyd came back to Ledyard to eventually start his own business and Charlie went on to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Their friendship endured through all the miles and years.
Upon his return from Korea, he married Joan Holdredge on October 17, 1959, in Old Mystic.
After working for 17 years maintaining the Ledyard Public Schools bus fleet, he eventually opened his own auto repair/towing business, Floyd’s Garage, on Long Cove Road in Gales Ferry in 1979. He relocated to Ledyard Center in 1985, where it still remains open for business. Floyd was still working on vehicles and doing 24 hour towing at 79 years old.
When he was not working (which was rare), Floyd enjoyed country music, antique farm equipment, military pride and traveling. Each spring, he would take part in the Ledyard Memorial Day parade to honor the military he so proudly served with. In the fall, he would gather all his antiques, as well as all his friends and their antiques, to create a display of both military and farm, and a place to gather to share friendships and memories, while also enjoying the Ledyard Fair.
Floyd loved to travel and it was a standing joke for years that he had the road atlas memorized. You could call him from the road from many states and he could tell you what exit to take for a good meal or fuel. His travel began in the Army at Fort Dix and continued with family camping and skiing up North. He and Joan traveled to Hawaii for their 25th wedding anniversary and they made many trips to Nashville where there were always Opry backstage passes waiting for them from Charlie Louvin. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Opry, slow dancing together, as Charlie sang.
He also made many trips on his own to keep in touch with his Army buddies in New York and Vermont as well as to antique shows and fairs throughout New England and Pennsylvania. In his later years, he and his grandson, Jake, would make those trips together, sharing much laughter and making memories.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joan; his son, Floyd E. Chesbro, III and his wife Ann of Griswold; his daughter Sally Sylvia and her husband Mark of Mystic, and their children Brittany Ceravolo of Groton and Jacob Sylvia of Mystic; and his son, Pete Chesbro of Ledyard, and his daughter Madeline Chesbro of Manhattan Beach, CA. He is also survived by his siblings Betty Kinney (David) of Ashaway, RI, Rose Palmer of Ledyard, Regina Babonas of Groton, Darleen Crandall (Fred) of Mystic, Sue Cleveland (Eddie) of Centreville, AL, and Mike Chesbro of Lebanon. He was predeceased by his sister, Nancy Maher.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Southeastern CT along with Pendleton Rehab and the B2 Nursing Staff for all the wonderful care and support that they gave Floyd to make the journey bearable; As well as his home care girls - Amy, Hannah, and Destinie, who treated him like he was their own Dad. Also, to Dr. Steven Johnson who provided Floyd with exceptional care and respect over the years.
There will be a graveside service at Lambtown Cemetery in Ledyard on Saturday July 30th at 11:00 am. In Dad’s honor, we would like to have a final “Display”. Please come in your antique vehicles or your company/service vehicles that you know would bring a smile to Dad’s face. Casual attire with a reception in Ledyard to follow the service.
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