Robert J. Chester

May 24, 1933 — November 20, 2025

Riverhead, NY

Robert J. Chester died peacefully in his sleep after a short illness at the age of 92. The youngest of 7 children, “Bob” spent his early years in Brooklyn. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. After his marriage in 1957 he became a fixture in Carle Place for 30 years, where he enjoyed a robust social life among his many close friends with dinner parties, vacations, golf, fishing on the North Fork, and weekday “liar’s poker” lunches at the Cherry Lane restaurant.

He was president of the American Legion, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce and Carle Place school board. He received an award from the fire department after rescuing a local family during an active fire in 1965.

After a career in insurance sales, he spent his retirement years in Cutchogue, moving to Riverhead after the death of his beloved wife Wanda in 2012.

Bob was known for his wit, sense of humor, love of cigars and Black Russians. He had a happy and positive outlook on life and cracked jokes until the very end. Deeply mourned by his 3 children, Diane (Carmine) Arpaia, Christine (Glenn) Dawson, and Robert Chester, and 6 grandchildren, Carmine (Stephanie), Mark, and Michael Arpaia, Sophie Dawson, Alice (Denis) Brown, and Sarah (Sam) Lawrence, plus 3 great grandchildren, Abigail, Eden and Leah.

Visitation services will be held at Tuthill-Mangano Funeral Home, 406 E Main Street in Riverhead, NY, on November 23, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. On Monday, November 24, 2025, there will be a mass at St. Isidore's R.C.C., 622 Pulaski St. Riverhead, NY, 11901, at 10:00 AM, followed by a private burial.

Memorial donations to East End Disability Associates are appreciated.