BELMONT ---- Chester Anthony Lewandoski, 88, passed away Sunday, March 3, 2024 at the Granite VNA Hospice House in Concord, NH.
He was born December 9, 1935, in Berlin, CT, the son of Charles and Anna (Holyst) Lewandoski.
In 1954, Chester served in the U.S. Army Co. B 704 Ord in Hanau Germany. While serving, he operated a body shop in a tent where he worked on staff and army vehicles.
Chester had a passion for cars and started driving at the age of 12. He owned and operated an autobody repair shop, C&S Sales in Connecticut, for 36 years before moving to New Hampshire. He also worked as a Wal-Mart greeter in his retirement years.
A lover of all sports and an active bowler for 29 years, he received the “Sportsman of the Year” award from the South East Bowling Association. He volunteered as vice president of the Belmont Little League for a year and was the first sponsor for the Belmont Baseball and Little League teams, where he remained a sponsor after 35 years.
He spent many years camping with his family, being fond of winter camping, and brought his expertise to scouting, serving as scoutmaster and attending many jamborees. He constructed a dunk booth for a scout fundraiser and helped raise money for his scouts to attend camp for two weeks.
In the 1950’s and 1960’s Chester proudly showed his gladiolus, winning many blue ribbons from the Connecticut Gladiolus Society.
Chester had the pleasure of hosting a child from the Fresh Air Fund for four years; and he and his wife sponsored a child from India through the Catholic Church for several years.
With his love of travel, Chester enjoyed time aboard cruise ships in Alaska, Panama Canal, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas. He often traveled to Las Vegas and Canada and spent many weekends driving around the New England coast and the mountains.
He was a member of the New Hampshire Autobody Association, the American Legion, and the VFW. Chester was a former member of the St. Joseph Pastoral Council in Belmont; and, with his wife, led the major building fund when St. Joseph’s “new” church was being built.
An avid family man, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Family includes two sons, Peter Lewandoski and his partner Mary, Stephen Lewandoski and his partner, Brenda Trott; two daughters, Anne Cote and Karen Lewandoski; a brother, Alexy Lewandoski; three grandchildren, Peter Lewandoski and wife Salena, Jordan Cote and partner Samantha, and Jillian Hanright and partner Christina; two great grandchildren, Hadlee and Maddox Cote; two nieces and five nephews, and an incredible circle of friends. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Joan (McGregor) Lewandoski; a daughter, Lynn Marie Lewandoski; his sister's, Stella and Barbara Lewandoski, and his son in law, Scott Cote.
Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, from 4:00pm-7:00pm, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 10:00am, at Saint Joseph Parish, 96 Main Street, Belmont, NH 03220.
Burial will take place at Union Cemetery, Laconia, NH.
Donations may be made to the Belmont Baseball Organization, PO Box 1311, Belmont, NH -03220 or the Winnisquam Baseball Boosters, c/o WRHS, 435 Bean Hill Road, Tilton, NH 03276.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.