Chester (Chet) W. Yacek Jr. of Wellesley, beloved husband of the late Ann Marie (Sullivan) Yacek died on Saturday, March 1, 2025. He was 97 years old. Chet is survived by his children Chester Yacek III and his wife Susan of Marstons Mills MA., Sharon MacPherson and her husband Douglas of Medway MA. and Doug Yacek and his wife Wendy of Austin, TX. and his cherished grandchildren Kirsten, Brady, Heather, Douglas, Abbott, Douglas, Andrew, Evan and Adam and great-grandchildren Nathaniel, Brady Jr., Aiden, Ella, and Valerie.
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut on July 25, 1927, Chet was one of two children of Chester and Jean Yacek of Naugatuck, CT. Chet was an enthusiastic athlete and excelled in football where he was quarterback for the 1945 Naugatuck High Greyhounds. Upon graduation, Chet was appointed to West Point in September of 1945. Chet also went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut Engineering Program in 1952. Chet, a true patriot, proudly served his country and was at the forefront of the Armed Services Aeronautical Technology Program at the US Army Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, Maryland. He was instrumental in the early development of guided missile technology deployed worldwide and later years with the Space Shuttle Program. His career brought him to faraway remote places, all in the service of his beloved country.
Chet moved his young family from Michigan to Wellesley in 1965 where he became a devoted Red Sox fan. He loved to talk baseball and was highly active in youth baseball coaching.
He was very humble, deeply religious and valued his family more than anything else. He enjoyed hearing about his family’s adventures, projects and accomplishments while rarely discussing his own. Fond family memories include driving cross county in the station wagon (twice), vacationing at Expo ’67, and our Cape Cod family reunions. He shared sixty-nine wonderful years with Ann Marie (Sullivan) his beloved wife and high school sweetheart.
Chet lived an honorable life with a work ethic beyond compare, he was and will continue to be our North star. Rest in Peace Dad, we will miss you dearly.
Visitation will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home 477 Washington St. Wellesley on Saturday, March 8th from 9:00-10:30am, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Paul Church, Wellesley at 11am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery, Wellesley.