Chester S. "Chet" Stencel Jr.

Chester S. "Chet" Stencel, Jr., 81, of Auburn, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025 at UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus.
He leaves his beloved wife, Roberta I. (Chicoine) Stencel; his devoted children, Catherine Ann Cahill and her husband Dan, and Matthew C. Stencel and his wife Kimberly, all of Auburn; his grandchildren, Alex, Sam, Jenna, Maeve, and Quinn, whom he cherished; his siblings, Rita "Rikay" Lundgren and her husband Robert, of Charlton, James E. "Jay" Stencel and his wife Catherine Polis, of Shrewsbury, and John W. Stencel and his wife Eileen, of Auburn; his best friend of many years, Anatol "Mik" Mikolajczak, of Webster; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Chet was, sadly, predeceased by his beloved son, Andrew J. Stencel, who passed in 2012.
Chet was born in Worcester, son of the late Chester S. Stencel, Sr. and Rita C. (Feeley) Stencel. He was raised and educated in Millbury alongside his three siblings. He graduated from Millbury Memorial High School, prior to attending and graduating from Westfield State University with a B.S. in Education. Chet later received his Master's degree from Assumption University in Psychology.
He had a lengthy career, beginning at Denholm & McKay in Worcester, then began his teaching career in the Webster Public Schools. Chet retired from Webster in 2003, and started working at Quinsigamond Community College as an Adjunct Professor until 2020.
Chet was proud to be an Auburn resident and was heavily involved in town activities – he was town moderator for some time, was a forty-year town meeting member, and a life member of the Auburn Democratic Committee. He was also a member of the Auburn/Webster Lodge of Elks #2118, charter and life member of the Monsignor Thomas F. Neary Knights of Columbus Council #13637, and a member of the First Friday Club. In his dedication to the Town of Auburn, he was the recipient of the John E. and Ethel E. Riley Outstanding Citizenship Award in 2018.
Chet loved sports, and became involved with Auburn sports when his kids were school-aged. He coached Auburn Little League baseball, Auburn soccer league, and St. Joseph's basketball team. He enjoyed cheering on the New England Patriots and was a season ticket holder since 2001.
Chet left a lasting impact on everyone who was lucky enough to meet him – his family, whom he loved more than anything, will feel this impact for a lifetime, and will feel the void that his passing has left. His legacy of love, faith, and family will continue on.
His family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John's Food for the Poor (https://www.stjohnsfoodforthepoor.org/donations), and/or to Auburn Youth & Family Services (https://unipaygold.unibank.com/transactioninfo.aspx).
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Stencel family between 1 – 4 PM on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central St., Auburn. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM on Monday April 14th at St. Joseph's Church, 189 Oxford St. N, Auburn, with burial to follow at Hillside Cemetery, Auburn.