Chester John Dumas, 89 years old, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 11, 2011, after a short illness. He was born in Worcester in 1921, son of Chester and Flora (Rebidue) Dumas.

     Chet married Frances Pauline Pope in 1947 at Concordia Lutheran Church. In addition to his much loved wife of 64 years he leaves three children, Denise and her husband David Eiche of Hollis, New Hampshire, Diane and her husband Alan Loudon of Alton Bay, New Hampshire and David and his wife Susan of Sterling, Massachusetts. He also leaves his four grandchildren Zachary, Sarah, Anita and Gregory whom he loved dearly and of whom he was greatly proud. And he leaves his sister Marjorie (Dumas) Hopewell her husband George and their family.

     Chet graduated from Shrewsbury High School in 1940 and enlisted in the US Navy where he served for the next 6 years and saw action in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres. On December 7, 1941 he was a Radarman 2nd Class stationed aboard the USS John D. Ford in Manila Bay during the Japanese air attack. He remembered that the Ford was the last ship to successfully exit the harbor before it was blocked by sunken vessels. Following fighting in the Dutch East Indies and the battle of Java Sea he remained with the Ford as it escorted many convoys between San Francisco and Pearl Harbor and continued convoy duty in the North Atlantic.

     Returning home, he married Frances and entered Ward School of Business in Worcester. Before finishing he was recalled for the Korean Conflict. Chet served in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea aboard the USS Ault until 1953.

     He was employed by the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology for 31 years retiring in 1987. He enjoyed many happy days puttering around the home he built on Highland Lake in Washington, New Hampshire.

     Chet was a proud member of the Shrewsbury VFW Post 10278 serving as a Junior Vice Commander, the Shrewsbury Retired Men’s Club and was a lifetime member of the Greendale Men’s Club where he served on the Color Guard and the Patriotism Committee. He belonged to the Korean War Veteran’s Association.

     There are not enough words to convey Chet’s dedication to and love for his family. He believed in the strength and power of family and taught his children and grandchildren those values.

     An active member of Concordia Lutheran Church, he once served as Sunday School Superintendent and served many years on the Maintenance Committee and as an Usher. He was a Shrewsbury Town Meeting Member as well.

     The family would like to thank Dr. Naroian and the Dialysis Unit of St. Vincent’s for their outstanding care, love, and support of Chet during his illness. We also send our thanks to a very special Dr. Rajitha Csudae who not only took good care of our dad but loved him along the way.

     Calling hours are at Nordgren Memorial Chapel from 4-6pm on Sunday, March 13. Funeral services will be at Concordia Lutheran Church, 86 Murray Avenue in Worcester on Monday, March 14 at 10:30am. Burial with military honors will be in the Veteran’s Garden, Worcester Memorial Park in Paxton, Massachusetts directly following the funeral.

     In lieu of flowers we request contributions be made in Chet’s name to the Memorial Fund of Concordia Lutheran Church, 86 Murray Avenue, Worcester 01610.