Chester Pelc

On June 25, 2020, Chester Pelc, 93, of Hudson, FL died peacefully in hospice.

He was the beloved husband of the late Marjorie (Cotton) Pelc and the late Dolores

(Clarke) Pelc.  He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Stanley and Antonina

Pelc, a brother, Ted Pelc, and a sister, Jenny (Pelc) Komisar.  His brother, Joseph Pelc, is his only surviving sibling.

          He was the cherished father of two children: a daughter, Marsha (Pelc) Cox and her husband, Michael, of Ellicott City, MD and a son, John C. Pelc and his wife, Eva, of Tarpon Springs, FL. He was the loving grandfather, known as “Pop-Pop”, to 4 grandchildren:  Emily Cox (Joseph) Deitzer, Natalie Cox (Robert) Hennes, Matthew (Mackenzie) Cox, and Stephen (Mandi) Pelc.  He was the beloved “Pop-Pop-Pop” to 5 great-grandchildren:  Samantha and Marjorie Hennes, Caroline and Andrew Deitzer, and Emma Kate Pelc. 

            Chester was also the beloved stepfather to:  Rebecca White, John (Rochelle) Hanner, Tim (Marlene) Hanner, and Jane (Greg) Allen.  He was a loving step-grandfather to: Brendan (Allison) and Maren White, Tim (Robin) and Max (Kara) Hanner, Christina (Rob) Perkins and Jonathan (Katie) Hanner, and Gaines, Clarke, Ty, and Elizabeth Allen.  He was also step-great grandfather to: Leighton White, Theo Hanner, Jake and Charlie Perkins, and Aberdeen Hanner. 

            Born in Greenfield, MA on Nov. 21, 1926, Chester was a 1945 graduate of Greenfield High School where he met his future wife, Marjorie F. Cotton.  Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II until he was honorably discharged.  While recently in hospice care, he received the World War II Victory Medal for his service. 

            On June 25, 1949, Marjorie and Chester were married at St. James Episcopal Church in Greenfield, MA.  He began working for the Boston and Maine Railroad during the time they were raising their children.  In 1958, he fulfilled his (and his parents’) dream of enrolling in college at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  During his time there, he was a 2-year president of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers.  He was awarded a B.S. Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1962. 

            After his college graduation, the family moved to Southbridge, MA where Chester began his career at the American Optical Company.  There the family joined Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and actively participated in community organizations.  Within two years, Chester was promoted, and the family moved to Frederick, MD where he became Plant Manager. In Frederick, they were active members of All Saints’ Episcopal Church where Chester served on the vestry for many years including the positions of Jr. and Sr. Warden.   He was also active in many other community and service organizations including the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. 

            In the early 1970’s, Marjorie and Chester moved to West Chester, PA where he was the Vice-President of The Fieldstone Corporation and General Manager of Bioclean.  Again, they joined the local Episcopal Church, St. Paul’s, where they became active members of the parish.  In 1975, he had just accepted a position with Titmus Optical Company in Chester, VA when Marjorie was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia.  Chester took loving care of Marjorie, along with the support of his family and clergy and friends at St. John’s Episcopal Church in VA during her courageous 10-year battle with cancer.   

            After his wife’s death in 1985, Chester decided to semi-retire and move to Dunedin, FL where he did part-time consulting work in Sarasota, FL.  When he fully retired, he joined the Dunedin Country Club where he later served as President.  In Dunedin, he met his future wife, Dolores (“Dee”) Clarke.  They married on August 10, 1991 at St. Alfred’s Episcopal Church. Together they mutually enjoyed many activities together with their friends and family.  In 2001, they moved to Heritage Pines Country Club in Hudson, FL. They became active members of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church where Chester served on the vestry and both he and Dee gave many volunteer hours to church fundraising activities.  Chester, again, took loving care of his wife until Dee died in Dec. 2017. 

            Chester continued to live independently at home with his beloved dog, Betsy.  He was very grateful for his family, friends and neighbors, and end-of-life health care workers.  His life will be remembered for his love of God, Family, and Country.

 

             —————————————————————————————

 

* Arrangements for a memorial service have not yet been made.

 

** Condolences may be shared online: www.downingfuneralhomeandcremation.com/obituary/Chester-Pelc

 

***In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chester Pelc’s memory to:

 

            St. Martin’s Episcopal Church

            PO Box 7199

            Hudson, FL. 34667

               or online at https://stmartinshudson.org

 

                          OR

           

           To: HPH Hospice                                      

            Marliere Care Center                 

           6801 Rowan Road

           New Port Richey, FL 34653

               or online:  Chaptershealth.org/give/donate

                                Select: Give

                               Scroll down to: HPH Hospice

                                When filling out giving form, in the Designation box, click on AutoFill

                               Arrow to find: Marliere Care Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Chester Pelc, please visit our floral store.