THOMAS CHESTER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

THOMAS P. CHESTER Thomas P. Chester, beloved husband of J. Margot Chester; loving father of Carole M. Chester, T. Ashley Chester, and Charlotte E. Laviolette and their spouses; and devoted grandfather of Dayna E., Travis J., Michelle and Corey Laviolette and Kate Hemblen. He is also survived by one brother Arnold, one sister-in-law; five brothers-in-law and their spouses, and many nephews and nieces. Tommy died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, April 23 at the Neepawa Health Centre. The eldest son of pioneer parents and grandparents, who farmed in south Charleswood, and then later built a grocery store and Varsity View Post Office at Roblin Boulevard and Elmhurst Road. Tommy lived most of his life in Charleswood. He received his education in the original Loudoun and Chapman Schools and was a life-long member of St. Marys Anglican Church. As a boy he caddied at the then Elmhurst Golf Club, later known as Alcrest and then Charleswood Golf Club. As a young man he was apprenticed to golf professionals Hugh Fletcher, Jim Daniels and Eric Bannister from whom he received instruction in the art of club-making. During the time of wooden-shafted golf clubs he supplied the T. Eaton Company with all its stock, and also assisted in the stores winter golf school. In 1932 he became golf professional for Alcrest Golf Club which later changed its name to Charleswood, a position he held until his retirement in 1974. During the Second World War he worked as a wood specialist at MidWest Aircraft, still keeping up his connection with the golf club over weekends and off-shift. He was a life member of the Canadian Professional Golfers Association and received the CPGA Fifty-Year engraved watch. He was also a life member of the Charleswood Historical Society and received the City of Winnipeg Community Services Certificate for his many contributions to community life. Married to writer and journalist, Margot (Brown) Chester, in 1936 he participated in many aspects of her professional life. He enjoyed travel in later years and also took up gardening although admitting to no green thumb. A quiet family man, he will be greatly missed by old friends and relatives. A Memorial Service, conducted by the Reverend James Bardsley, will be held at St. James Anglican Church in Neepawa on Saturday, April 27 at 1:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Marys Anglican Church on Haney Street in Charleswood at a later date to be announced in the Winnipeg Free Press. The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the home care workers, in particular Aurise Collins, as well as all the staff of the Neepawa Health Centre, for the excellent care they provided to Tommy during his time in Neepawa. Special thanks, as well, to Mary-Ellen Clark and the palliative care volunteers for their kind attention and support.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 25, 2002