Obituary of Chester E. Bodenschatz

Chester E. Bodenschatz, died peacefully on January 29, 2020. Chester was born in Travis in 1943 to Catherine and Chester Bodenschatz and moved to Westerleigh in 1953. He attended Port Richmond High School and McKee Vocational High School. After he finished school, Chester enlisted in the Army and served his country honorably. He was an Army M.P. stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged and returning home Chester continued serving his country and community by joining the NYPD dedicating his life to protect and serve. In 1971, he transferred over to the FDNY and continued working for the City of New York and protecting the public. While working with the FDNY he started his own garage door business, Chet's Overhead Garage Doors. Chet was a sports enthusiast and an avid golfer. He belonged to the Staten Island Finest Golf Club for many years. Throughout his life, Chester touched many people in a very positive way. He will be remembered as a loving, caring and compassionate man who had a genuine interest in the well being of everyone he encountered. His defining qualities had to be his noble and selfless nature which followed him throughout his life. Chester is survived by his wife Jo-Ann (nee Calabro) of 48 Years. He also leaves behind his son, Kelly Bodenschatz and his daughter, Greer Bodenschatz. He was predeceased by his loving parents, Catherine and Chester Bodenschatz. He was also the dear brother of the late Katherine Decore. He was the fond brother-in-law of Guy and Jody Pascarella and Louis and Candy Pascarella. He was the cherished and loving uncle of Jacqueline Decore-Lurker and her husband Thomas Lurker, Guy and his wife Courtney Pascarella, Marie and her wife Desiree Pascarella and Elizabeth and her husband Gareth Gabriel. He was the loving great uncle of Jacob Lurker, Benjamin Lurker, Serena Jo Pascarella and Josephine Rose Gabriel. In lieu of flowers, donations in Chester's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (322 Eighth Avenue, 16th floor, New York, NY 10001). Funeral from the Matthew Funeral Home, Inc., 2508 Victory Boulevard, on Monday, 2/3/2020 departing at 9:30 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Holy Family R.C. Church at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to visit on Saturday, 2/1/2020 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM and Sunday, 2/2/2020 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM.