LUDLOW: Chester Kielbasa, 98, passed away on March 30, 2022 at the Chelsea Soldier’s Home. Born on August 23, 1923 in Westfield, MA to the late John and Tekla (Starzyk) Kielbasa, he grew up in Westfield and had lived in Wilbraham before moving to Ludlow in 1972. Chester served honorably in the U.S. Army during WWII. He worked as a machinist for American Bosch for over 30 years. However, he was a farmer at heart, growing up on a farm in Westfield and still owned his family farm in Ludlow which he enjoyed exploring on his golf cart. He was an active member of the Polish American Veterans Association and was very proud of his Polish heritage. He had a strong love of his homeland, Poland, which he visited often.
Chester leaves to cherish his memory his sons: Peter Kielbasa and his wife Maryann of Ludlow, Mark Kielbasa and his wife Kerry of Westfield, and Gary Kielbasa and his wife Debbie, of Ludlow; his grandchildren: Scott Kielbasa, Chad Kielbasa, Matthew Kielbasa, Michael Kielbasa, Jennifer Kielbasa, and Amber Martin; his great-grandchildren: Logan, Max, Brody, Griffin, and Kellan; many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
He was predeceased by his wife, Irene (Yamer) Kielbasa and his siblings: Veronica Jez, Genevieve Wykowski, Sr. Mary Viventia, and Stanley, Joseph, and Matthew Kielbasa.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 4, 2022, with Calling Hours from 8:30-10:30am at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services, 15 Ludlow Ave., Springfield and proceeding to Immaculate Conception Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery.
For the compassionate care given to Chester, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holyoke Hospice & VNA, 575 Beech Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or online at www.holyokevna.org/donate. For more information, or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.nowakfuneral.com.
