Chester F. “Chet” Moculeski, age 91, a resident of Hinsdale for 47 years, lived the American Dream.
The Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago was his birthplace.
His parents were Polish peasant immigrants, Alexander Moculeski and Aniela “Angeline”, nee Tabak.
Because his father contracted tuberculosis and spent the remaining 10 years of his life in a sanitarium, and because his mother supported the family by working nights, hand scrubbing floors in office buildings in Chicago’s Loop, at the age of nine he was assigned the task of making breakfast for his two younger siblings.
Chet began to contribute to the support of the family at the age of 12 when he obtained a paper route delivering two Polish dailies.
After graduating from St. Joseph Parish School in 1930, Chet contracted osteomyelitis in two of his limbs and spent nine months in Cook County Hospital, where he learned that doctors and nurses are human beings.
He attended the Christopher Branch of Lindblom High School from which he graduated in 1935.
With scholarships paying for all his expenses, he graduated in 1939 from the University of Chicago with a degree in chemistry.
Although the time was the depth of the Depression, Chet managed to find employment in the field of chemistry at a salary of $19.00 per week, which went into the family coffers.
In one year there were sufficient funds to place a down payment on the first home owned by the family.
After working in research and development for eight years, Chet was offered a position in market development by his then employer, Rohm and Haas Co. in Philadelphia.
He made the full cycle when he wound up his career in marketing and management with a partnership in Clintwood Chemical Co., located four blocks from where he once lived in the Back of the Yards.
Although he was a workaholic, he enjoyed what he was doing in the earn a buck world.
Retirement was chosen at the age of 72 only because more time was to be devoted to travel.
Chet met his love, best friend, excellent cook, caretaker, and above all, Godsend, Eleanor Lewandowski, in Philadelphia.
Their marriage in June, 1949 was followed by 58 years of joyful companionship, cooperative struggles, easy compromises and a daughter, Karen, whom he nurtured.
Traveling was a mind expanding experience where Chet could practice his love of photography.
Their travels carried them to six continents, including a safari in Africa.
In retirement he was instrumental in introducing SeniorNet, a non-profit and volunteer organization for teaching Seniors how to use computers at The Hinsdale Community House.
In these classes Chet volunteered as an instructor and coach.
He was a lifelong member of the American Chemical Society, the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and in order to bring a balance of two party government to DuPage County, Chet was for 46 years a Democratic Precinct Committeeman, during which he served a two year term as Chairman of the Downers Grove Township Democratic Organization.
The era in which he lived inspired in him the feeling of awe and wonder.
Born in the gaslight and horse and wagon age, Chet experienced and enjoyed the conversion to electricity, the use of the telephone, the development of the auto, the introduction of the radio and television, the phonograph giving way to hi-fi, jet aircraft shrinking the world and the computer conquering the world, and man on the moon.
Where but in America can one rise and live to beyond one’s dreams.
Celebrating his life are his wife, Eleanor; his daughter, Karen (George) Kister; grandchildren, Christian and Alexandra; nieces and nephews; cousins of the Moculeski and Tabak families; relatives of Eleanor; and friends, all of whom Chet thanks for the good times they provided by inviting him to their christenings, First Holy Communions, birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries and family reunions.
Visitation Sunday, Sept.
16, 4 to 8 p.m. atGibbons Elliston Funeral Home, First and Grant St., Hinsdale.
Friends will meet Monday, Sept.
17 at St. Isaac Jogues Church, Fourth and Clay St., Hinsdale, for 10 a.m. Funeral Mass.
Interment Brons-wood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Felician Sisters Retirement Fund, 3800 W. Peterson Ave., Chicago, IL 60659-3116.
630-323-0275.
Sign Guestbook at chicagotribune.com/obituaries
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This is a paid death notice.
