Chester J. Szetela

Chester J. Szetela
1937 - 2026
Chicopee
Chester J. Szetela, of Chicopee, passed away on January 12, 2026. He was a selfless man devoted to his family. He was the son of the late Chester and Carol Szetela. Chet was the beloved husband to his wife Susan, whom he was married to for 64 years, before Susan passed away in 2022. Chet was a devoted father to his seven children. He also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends, whom he loved dearly. He was predeceased by his son, John Szetela, his sister, Patricia Szetela, and his close friends, Jimmy Stefanik, Herb Curry, and Jimmy Kijak. Chet graduated from Chicopee High School, Wilbraham Monson Academy, St. Lawrence University, and received two Master's Degrees in Education from Elms College and Westfield University. He worked for 40 years in public education as a teacher, counselor, and administrator. He served on the Chicopee School Committee and Chicopee Housing Committee. He and his wife Susan were strong pro-life supporters and believed in "old-fashioned" values. Chet was a member of Christ The King Parish in Ludlow, MA. He found joy in watching local sports and following professional baseball and football. He was known for his ability to combine offers from Macy's department store every which way to find would deliver the best deal. Family and friends were the beneficiary of these deals, as he had a wealth of knowledge of every size and style for each member. His sense of humor, sharp wit, and generous spirit are his legacy. His ability to interact with people was endearing, except while doing anything handy. His morning ritual of coffee at Dunkin with his friend, Kaz Machowski, was spent in friendship doing the daily crossword puzzle and word jumble together. He leaves his six daughters, Mary and Scott McNair, of Centerville, MA, Susan Lopes, of Chicopee, MA, Nancy and Walter Currier, of South Carolina, Sarah and James Bolton, of Nashua, NH, Caroly and Richard Calderigi, of Wilbraham, MA, and Catherine and William Reyes, of N. Smithfield, RI. He also leaves 16 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He loved the company of his grandchildren and took great interest in their schooling and sports. As the saying goes, "Every man's life ends in the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he dies that distinguishes one man from another." His grandchildren were fortunate for the example he provided and blessed from the moments they spent with him. He was especially blessed for the end-of-life care that he received from his daughter and son-in-law, Will and Catherine Reyes, whom he lived with. The family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care he received from Harmony Hospice. Friends and family are invited to gather together at Christ The King Church, 41 Warsaw Ave., Ludlow, at 10:00am on Saturday, January 17, 2026 for Chet's Funeral Mass, with burial immediately following in St. Patrick's Cemetery, in Chicopee. Calling hours will be held from 4:00 to 7:00pm on Friday, January 16, 2026 at Corridan Funeral Home, 333 Springfield St., Chicopee, MA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Artisan Bridge, an organization that provides artisan work in the country of Guatemala. Artisan Bridge, 850 Great Rd., North Smithfield, RI, 02896.