Chester Piotrowski Obituary

Chester John Piotrowski was born at home on July 14th, 1924 in Chicago and grew up in Brookfield, IL. He graduated from Riverside/Brookfield High School and attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he earned a degree in Radio Engineering. As a young man, Chester served in the US Navy during World War II as a Radio-Radar Technician, Second Class aboard the USS Corry (DD-463). His ship and crew participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6th, 1944. His ship hit a mine and sunk in the English Channel. Chester and a number of his shipmates were rescued after spending 4 hours in the frigid water. After the war, he returned to Illinois and married his wife, Marian, and they raised 7 children in the same home since 1946. His professional life consisted of employment with Montgomery Wards as a receiving manager in LaGrange and Lombard, IL where he retired after more than 40 years of dedicated service. He never took a sick day, and always arrived an hour early for work. Chester and his wife Marian were married for more than 56 years before her passing in 2002. Chester leaves behind his sister, Gloria Dorenbos; 2 sisters-in law; 6 children, Jim (Betty), David (Monica), Paul, Bill (Nancy), Frank, and Mary (Steve) Saldino; 18 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Mike; wife, Marian; son, Michael; and grandsons, Marc and Nathan. He was a devoted Catholic, and a founding parishioner of Divine Savior Parish in Downers Grove. He was an active usher for many years, "Moses" for many of the religious education classes, and until recent years, attended daily mass faithfully. He served the community by donating over 5 gallons of blood over his lifetime. He loved to fish, and his prize possession was his record-breaking muskie, caught while fishing with his sons and grandsons. He was a die-hard Chicago Cub and Bear fan. He loved a good joke and regularly teased and kidded with everyone. He enjoyed his yard, tending to his vegetable garden (most of which he gave away), cutting his grass, and feeding the wildlife that regularly roamed his property. He died at home on August 24th after faithfully reading his "Trib" just like every other day of his life. The obituary section was a much read, and he would always joke that he was checking for his name, and since it wasn't there, "I must still be alive". I am certain he will be checking for this post from Heaven. You made the paper Dad! We will miss you, send our love to Mom and Michael. A memorial mass will be held at Divine Savior Parish, 6700 Main St., in Downers Grove on Friday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made to Divine Savior Parish in his name. Arrangements by Toon Funeral Home, Downers Grove. 630-968-0408 or www.toonfuneralhome.com