Argyle
Chester Anthony Godlewski, 73, passed away at Glens Falls Hospital on Tuesday evening, February 23rd, 2021. Chester was born at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y. on March 9, 1947 to Chester A. Godlewski and Louise Godlewski (Gryzbowski). He was a 1965 graduate of Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady and went on to earn his B.S. in Business from Northeast Louisiana University (ULM) in 1969. Chester served with the United States Army ROTC during college and was honorably discharged in December 1972. Chester completed additional coursework at Texas A&M, Union College and Siena College.
Chester was a sports enthusiast and was involved in sports throughout his entire life. He was a member of the Schenectady, N.Y. Little League and Babe Ruth and played for the Schenectady N.Y. Little League World Series team that finished in 3rd Place in 1959 in Williamsport, PA. That teams accomplishments hold a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. He played varsity baseball, football, and bowling for Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School and lettered in each of those sports. He was a member of the 300 Club in Bowling. He was the Head Softball Coach at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons for 1 Year, played fast pitched softball at Sportsman’s Park for 3 years, played in the Schenectady Twilight League and traveling baseball league under Chuck Esmoke. Chester went on to play collegiate baseball at Northeast Louisiana University (ULM) under scholarship. Of the many sports Chester enjoyed, he was particularly fond of Thoroughbred Racing, Nascar, Northeast Dirt Track Racing, Baseball, Football, Bowling, and Boxing. He was a loyal Saratoga Horse Racing, Dale Earnhardt/Stewart Friesen, Lou Lazzaro/Jack Johnson, Yankees, N.Y. Giant's and Mike Tyson fan.
Chester worked 15 years with Atlantic Refining Company which later became Atlantic Richfield Company and ultimately British Petroleum. Chester began working in the marketing department and later began working in distribution at multiple refineries. At one point during his career he was listed in a Forbes Magazine Article as one of the projected Top 25 Executives in the country. Following his career with ARCO, Chester became the co-owner and operator of Sonny’s Tavern (AKA Godlewski’s Instant Replay) for 26 years. During that time, Chester and his brother were instrumental in bringing many famous athletes (including Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Ken Griffey Jr., Phil Simms, and Willie Stargell) to the Schenectady Region to attend banquets, speak, eat, and sign autographs for patrons. Most of Chester’s best memories were created during the time he co-owned and operated the Instant Replay. The sports icons he met, along with family and friends were second to none. Chester was a member of the Schenectady County and New York State’s Restaurant and Tavern Owners Association for many years. After the restaurant business, Chester spent much of his time caring for his late mother, late wife, and spending time at his beloved home on Lake Cossayuna. Chester was an avid collector of sports memorabilia and antiques throughout his entire life. Upon retiring from the restaurant business, he would often dabble with buying and selling memorabilia and antiques on EBAY.
Chester was active within many organizations throughout his lifetime. Chester gave over 50 years of his life in service to the Democratic Party. He was the President of the Mont Pleasant Neighborhood Democratic Party for over 25 years. He often quipped that he never left the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left him. He also served as the Chairman of the Board for the Mont Pleasant Planning and Development Corp 501c3 and was a member of the Mont Pleasant Neighborhood Association. Chester was the Chairman of the Board for the P.N.A. for over 25 years and the Financial Secretary for P.N.A. Lodge 509 for over 35 years. Chester held a position on the Cossayuna Lake Improvement Association for many years. He was a fraternal brother in Sigma Tau Gamma, a Schenectady Chapter member of the International Order of Old Bastards (IOOB), a member of the Polish American Veterans, Young Men’s Polish Association and the B.P.O.E. in Stuebenville, Ohio which was later transferred to Greenwood Lake, N.Y.
Chester was predeceased by his father, Chester A. Godlewski (former Schenectady City Councilman), mother, Louise Godlewski (Gryzbowski); wives, Pamela E. Godlewski (Stephenson) and Patricia K. Godlewski (Mastin); sister-in-laws, Toni Stephenson and Vivian Rose Mastin Milner. Chester is survived by his brother Robert L. Godlewski of Castleton, VT; Anne Godlewski of Rotterdam, NY; sister-in-law, Alice Mastin of Cynthiana, KY; his brother-in-laws Emmet Stephenson of Boulder City, NV and Raymond Bud Mastin of Cynthiana, KY; his children, Chester A. Godlewski (Cage) of Arvada, CO., Christopher S. T. Godlewski (Todd) of Ruston, LA., Chadwick A. Godlewski (Chad) of Colorado Springs, CO., and Cara D. Godlewski of Denver, CO; his grandchildren, Brittany Carolyn Godlewski (Clark) of Falcon, CO., Payton Alexandra Godlewski of Boulder, CO., Cooper Scott Godlewski of Colorado Springs, CO., Caleb Scott Hairhoger of Colorado Springs, CO., Braylon English Hairhoger of Colorado Springs, CO., Anderson Todd Godlewski of Calhoun, LA; his great grandchildren, Sutton Everly Clark and Ainsley Quinn Clark of Falcon, CO.; his nephews, Michael R. Godlewski of Glenville, NY., Kevin Milner of Cynthiana, KY.; his nieces, Tessa Lyn Stephenson of Los Angeles, CA., Rita K. Gill of Cynthiana, KY., Kimberly Simpson of Cynthiana, KY., and Kathy Ray May of Cynthiana, KY.
A memorial service and visitation will be held on Saturday, June 5th at 10:30 a.m. at M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 82 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY, 12828 followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:00pm at St. Joseph’s Church, 128 Broadway, Fort Edward, N.Y. 12828. Following the church service, burial will be at St. Adalbert’s Cemetery, 2800 Hamburg Street, Schenectady, N.Y. 12303.
Following the graveside service, the family is holding an reception at Bellevue Cafe, 2630 Broadway, Schenectady.
Flowers may be sent directly to the funeral home or contributions may be made to establish a Scholarship Fund in Chester A. Godlewski’s memory to Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School Athletic Department, 2600 Albany Street, Schenectady, NY 12304. Chester A. Godlewski’s family wishes to thank Dr. Howard Schlossberg of NYOH and Dr. Zofia Dryzmalski of Community Care Physicians for their excellent care, dedication, work and friendship during his illness. We would also like to offer a special thank you to Tanya Hathaway, whom over a period of 3 years befriended our father, brought meals to him, flowers, and cared for him extensively during his time of need. We are truly grateful for her many acts of kindness. To leave a message for Chester A. Godlewski’s family, please visit www.kilmerfuneralhome.com.