Chester J. Dabkowski

ATHOL- Chester J. "Chet" Dabkowski, 83, of 263 Sanders Street, died Sunday in UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus, Worcester, following a lengthy illness. He leaves his wife of 61 years, M. Bertha (Chaisson) Dabkowski; two sons, Chester J. Dabkowski, Jr. and his wife Kerry of Plymouth and Michael Dabkowski of Mickleton, NJ; three daughters, Jane Pichette and her husband Brian of Umatilla, Florida; Andrea Genest and her husband David of Jamestown, Rhode Island; and Elaine King and her husband Wilfred "Junior" King of Orange; a daughter-in-law, Sharon Morse and her husband Ron, of Athol; a sister, Winifred Budzinski of Gardner; 13 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. A son, Dennis Dabkowski, died in 1980., and a sister, Sophie Washenko, predeceased him. Born in Gardner, Dec. 15, 1918, son of Stanislaus and Alexandra (Goral) Dabkowski, he was raised and attended schools in Gardner. He had lived in Athol the past 61 years. He attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Mr. Dabkowski was a tool machinist at the former Union Twist Drill Company in Athol for 45, retiring in 1980. Chet, known in the musician's world as "Chet Sanders", had his own band, "The Talk of the Town". They toured the local states and area, playing saxophone and clarinet for over 40 years. In recent times, Chet devoted himself to teaching and repairing instruments. In his younger days, he played semi-pro football and was a boxer. He was a member of Our Lady Immaculate Church, the Athol Council Knights of Columbus, the American Lithuanian Club, the Polish American Club, and a member of the Musician's Union. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed playing cards. The funeral will be held Wednesday from the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main Street, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School Street. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home are 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. $(document).ready(function(){ });