Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Chester Cashmere Sawiki, Sr., was born to Irene and Walter Sawiki in Detroit, Michigan, in 1924. Chester was raised with one sister, Irene. His father owned a business, while his mom was a homemaker. When he was young, his mother was killed when she was hit by a car while shoveling coal. It was very difficult for the family. Chester's uncle helped to take care of the kids. A few years later, Chester's father married Mary, who had seven children of her own. Joining their families together, they had 9 children and then Mary and Walter had a son whom they named Peter. As a teen, Chester worked as a caddy on a golf course and he excelled in sports. He often told stories about playing baseball and making saving plays in a regional championship game. He graduated from high school in Detroit and at the age of 19, he voluntarily joined the United States Air Force. Serving in the Air Force from 1943 to 1945, Chester was stationed in Sicily, Italy. It was the highlight of his life because he got to see the world, as he also traveled to Northern France. As part of his job, he loaded bombs and worked on the bomb squadron for the Air Force. When he finished his service in October 1945, he was awarded a ribbon with 8 Bronze Stars, a Bomb Squadron Distinguished Unit Citation, and a Good Conduct Ribbon. He was proud of his service to our country.

Returning to Detroit after his service in the Air Force, he worked for Ford Motor Company as a machinist. In the early 1950s, he moved to Southern California for job opportunities. When he attended a country western dance, he asked a young lady named Mary Ann to dance. Mary Ann had moved to Southern California from Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, with her sister, Kay Galatic. The sisters wanted to create a new life. Chester was about to create a new life as well. He and Mary Ann hit it off and started dating. The couple married in 1957 and soon bought their first home in Sherman Oaks. In 1958, they welcomed the birth of their first son, Gene. In 1960, they had a second joy to celebrate with the birth of their son, Chester, Jr. So the two names wouldn't be confusing between Chester and his son, the family quickly nicknamed Chester "Big Chet" and young Chester "Little Chet." With only two years between them, Gene and Little Chet were good friends growing up.

While Mary Ann stayed home to care for the children, professionally, Big Chet worked in Aerospace as an inspector. He also worked for a while at the major studios as a Grip during the 1960s. He returned to the Aerospace industry, where he worked for 40 years. He retired from Litton Industries.

Working so close to the studios, there were fun stories along the way. Mary Ann's brother, Steve, worked as a studio Grip and he took the entire family to Columbia Ranch one summer to meet "The Three Stooges." Everyone enjoyed a day of food and drinks on this family day as Gene and Little Chet got autographs from the men who portrayed Moe, Larry and Shemp: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Shemp Howard. It was great fun because the three comedians were very happy to meet their fans.

Throughout the years, Big Chet was a wonderful father who loved his sons very much. He was very supportive of all of his sons' interests. When his sons excelled in swimming, they joined the aquatic and water polo teams in school. Mary Ann and Big Chet attended all of their sons' swim meets, traveling as far to Santa Barbara and Huntington Beach. Gene was a great swimmer and lifeguard, who dreamed of being a doctor one day. Big Chet also gave Gene and Little Chet a love of the outdoors, as he took the boys camping in tents, fishing and they even climbed Mt. Whitney. For fishing, a favorite spot was Lake Cachuma where they fished for trout and bass once a year. They rented a boat and went out on the Lake. For dinner, they cooked the fish they caught during the day and ate it fresh. Mary Ann joined the boys and Big Chet on a long trip to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. For a couple of weeks, the family traveled all over the National Park. Big Chet had a true appreciation for nature. He regularly took the boys to County Line to camp on the beach. The family built bonfires and did some surf fishing and toasted marshmallows over the open fire. The boys collected shells and enjoyed their time along the beach. At home, Big Chet set a good example for his boys by mowing and trimming his own lawn and painting when the home needed it. He also loved animals as they had a terrier named Rusty. The dog was a roamer and he became a beloved dog in the neighborhood. Rusty would get so excited to see Big Chet, even when he came home after a long day at work, he took the dog for a walk. When Little Chet asked him why he doted on the dog, Big Chet said, "When he looks at you so happy to see you, how can you not take him for a walk?" Chester Sawiki, Sr., had a caring heart.

He was so very proud of the boys throughout school. Gene graduated from Notre Dame High School, Loyola Marymount University and attended Marquette University in Milwaukee. Little Chet graduated from Grant High School and by the time he was 25-years-old, he was working at the major studios as a Grip, and earned Key Grip status in the last five years. Gene, meanwhile, was preparing to become a Dentist, when he died unexpectedly in his sleep from sleep apnea. Gene's death was extremely difficult for the entire family. While they supported each other, it was devastating. The family did their best to move forward.

Big Chet self-educated himself for many years about God and Heaven as he studied other religions. He read a lot as he was a seeker of knowledge, self-educating himself. He was raised Roman Catholic, but he had a yearning for knowledge especially concerning Eastern cultures. While in retirement, he and Mary Ann were able to enjoy traveling. They took road trips up the California Coast and made it all the way to Seattle once. The travel didn't last long enough. The hardest part of his life was losing his son in 1984 and then losing his wife in 1989. Both he and Little Chet were by Mary Ann's side as she passed away. Big Chet was very strong, though, and found a way to move forward and remained a positive figure for Little Chet. His family was always the best part of his life, especially his sons.

He also had many favorites in life. As a hobby, he loved playing golf and enjoyed playing golf with Little Chet. When Big Chet played in Litton golf tournaments, they made him the official rule guy. He knew the book of rules and if he didn't know a specific rule, he partially wrote his own. He was quite a character. During the 1980s, Big Chet and Little Chet took a liking to NASCAR. The two of them liked watching the races at the Riverside Raceway. He loved music, especially the music of Frank Sinatra and songs of the 1940s. More recently, when Little Chet gave him a ride to doctor's appointments he loved listening to the 40s channel on Sirius/XM. Big Chet loved eating, particularly at American roadside diners. He liked flirting with the waitresses, as he was a people person who liked to have conversations. Hot black coffee was a staple of his life, until he had to switch to decaf. After he retired, every Sunday night he and Little Chet met for dinner. When he stopped driving, Little Chet or Susie gave him a ride to dinner. Big Chet and Susie had a great relationship. She'd take him out to breakfast or provide transportation for him to the Senior Center. He stayed in his own home in Sherman Oaks until three and a half years ago, when he moved to a board and care facility. In his last few days, he was aware of what was going on and he was communicating. He was well-cared for and loved.

Big Chet was rare for his time, as he always showed his affection. He said "I love you" all the way to the end of his life. And, more importantly he knew he was loved. He was open-minded and had a positive attitude in life. Never a complainer, at the board and care facility he always said "I'm okay" not wanting to bother anyone. Susie and Little Chet visited him often and the last thing he said to his son was "I love you" and he told his father "I love you, too." He was eating his Ensure until his last day and peacefully went away. As he believed in God and Heaven, his family feels he is now at peace and reunited with his son, Gene, and his wife, Mary Ann.

Chester Jr. will miss his father always being there for him. Chester Sawiki, Sr., will be remembered as a good father and wonderful friend. He was a people person but he also liked his alone time as well. He liked traveling, he enjoyed nature and he loved life. With a positive demeanor, he was light-hearted and had a good sense of humor. He was cremated with his dentures in case he needed them because he absolutely loved to eat. It's a choice that would make him smile. He would want everyone to celebrate his life, rather than mourn. He would encourage others to try to be a positive example as his attitude was so positive in life and he'd want that spirit to live on.

Chester Sawiki, Sr., was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary Ann; and son Gene. He is remembered and loved by his son Chester Jr. and daughter-in-law Susan; sister Irene; half-brother Peter; nieces Cheryl and Jacqueline; nephews Danny and David; niece Sheila; and many friends.

Memorial donations are welcome in his name to Leeza Gibbons' charity program "Leeza's Place" which provides a safe setting where caregivers and those recently diagnosed with any memory disorder can gather to prepare themselves for the challenging journey ahead. To make a donation visit www.leezasplace.org.