Chester Cekala, Sr.

Chester "Chet" Cekala, Sr., 81, of Hoppin Hill Road, North Attleboro, died peacefully at his residence surrounded by his beloved family on Saturday, January 12, 2013. He was the cherished husband and best friend of Eileen R. (Polefka) Cekala to whom he would have joyfully celebrated sixty years of marriage on June 21st. Born in Hope Valley, Rhode Island on July 13, 1931, he was a son of the late Walter and Frances (Popiolek) Cekala. He was a 1950 graduate of Westerly High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry from the University of Rhode Island in 1954. He moved from Hope Valley, Rhode Island to North Attleboro in 1953 and remained a resident for the past 60 years. Mr. Cekala was a proud member of the University of Rhode Island Alumni Association. In 1954, he founded the Willow Tree Poultry Farm, Inc. in Attleboro and was the former president of the family owned and operated business. He dedicated himself tirelessly to building his business but never lost sight of the responsibilities to family and remained a devoted and dedicated husband and father and in more recent years cherished his grandchildren and great grandchild. In addition to his wife of almost 60 years, he leaves two caring sons: Chester Cekala, Jr. and his wife, Carol L. (Raleigh) Cekala, of Weston and Walter Cekala and his wife, Lynda P. (Van Dusen) Cekala, of North Attleboro; six adored grandchildren: Allison, Christopher, Alexander, Nicholas, Samuel and Andrew Cekala; a loved great grandchild: Ava and several extended family members and dear friends. Mr. Cekala was predeceased by his loving sisters Gladys Gorskoski and Helen Hogan and his granddaughter Julia Cekala. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on WEDNESDAY, January 16, 2013 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on the left) Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Children's room available during visitation and the funeral service. Those in need of a local ride to visitation may call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis transportation. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral service on THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013 at 10:00 AM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on the left) Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with the Rev. Kelly K. Thibeault, Pastor of the First Congregational Church, Old Post Road, North Attleboro, officiating. Burial will follow in North Purchase Cemetery, Attleboro. Following cemetery services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at a location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Julia Cekala Charitable Foundation, PO Box 1070, North Attleboro, MA 02761 or to the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.