Leslie W. "Les" Cheney

Leslie W. “Les” Cheney, 100, of Arnold Road, North Attleboro died on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 at the Daggett-Crandall-Newcomb Retirement Home in Norton where he had been a resident since September 2001. He was the beloved husband of the late Gladys Wilson (Whittaker) Cheney who died on October 3, 1999.

Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on June 21, 1904, he was a son of the late Fern Leslie and Marion (Woodbury) Cheney. He and his family moved to Massachusetts from nearby Rhode Island and settled in North Attleboro when Mr. Cheney was a young child.

He was employed as a tool and die maker for many years and retired as the superintendent of Swank, Inc. in Attleboro where he had worked for more than 40 years prior to his retirement in 1969. Following his retirement, he served as a consultant for his former employer.

A man of a strong work ethic, Mr. Cheney returned to the workforce as a bench worker for Foster Metals and later for Universal Optical until his final retirement at the young age of 89.

He had a passion for photography and had his personal dark room at his residence that allowed him to develop his own photographs.

As a young man, he enjoyed auto mechanics and had a love affair with Cape Cod that lasted decades. Since 1930, he had summered in the Teaticket section of Falmouth and until a few years ago would drive from his North Attleboro home to his Cape home on a regular basis. His love for boating gave him the determination to build his own boat in earlier years.

He was a member and served as the past president of the Attleboro Foreman’s Club and was a member of the American Society of Metals.

Mr. Cheney was a member and served as the Past Patron of the Angle Stone Chapter #118 of the Order of the Eastern Star in North Attleboro.

A dedicated Mason for 77 years, he was a member of the Bristol Lodge AF & AM in North Attleboro since entering on February 21, 1928 and receiving his fellowship degree on March 20, 1928 and became a Master Mason on April 17, 1928. He served as the High Priest in 1951 and was the past District Deputy Grand Captain of the Host.

Mr. Cheney was the recipient of the Benjamin Hurd Medal, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a fellow Mason and the Knight of York Cross of Honor.

He was one of the first to take his degrees in the current Masonic Hall that was built in downtown North Attleboro in 1928.

Mr. Cheney was a life member of the Blue Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts.

He was a member of the Bristol Commandry #29 of Attleboro and was a Principle Sojourner of the Raboni Chapter for more than 30 years.

Mr. Cheney leaves two sons: Gordon W. Cheney of North Attleboro and Kenneth R. Cheney of Falmouth; a daughter: Judith L. Stewart of Farmington Hills, Michigan; a sister: Irma Housman of Attleboro; 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Violet Osterholm.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend funeral services on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at 10:00 AM in the “Commonwealth Chapel” of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with the Rev. Carole L. Baker, pastor of Central Congregational Church, Attleboro Falls, officiating.

Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery and Arboretum, North Attleboro.

Following graveside services an invitation will be extended to join the family for fellowship and refreshment.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 28, 2005 from 3:00 – 7:00 PM in the “Commonwealth Chapel” of the funeral home.

A Masonic ritual service conducted by the officers and brethren of the Bristol Lodge AF & AM will be held on Monday, February 28, 2005 at 7:00 PM at the conclusion of visitation.

Children’s room available during visitation and funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Cheney’s name may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.

To send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit our on-line guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro (508) 695-0200.