…active in Tewksbury community service; 94
TEWKSBURY - Leo D. Chibas, age 94, a WWII Veteran, retired sales manager, and a passionate Tewksbury civil servant, died unexpectedly Monday morning, February 1, at Lowell General Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Elia Marie “Al” (DeSantis) Chibas, with whom he was anticipating their 75th wedding anniversary this coming May 31st.
Leo was born in Athol, in August 1921, one of five children of the late Dominic and Mary (Tamashukas) Chibas, and was raised in Athol. He enlisted into the U.S. Navy during WWII and served aboard the USS Burias and the USS Cascade in the Pacific Theater. Leo was proud of his military service, very Patriotic and held strong belief in traditional American Values. Upon honorable discharge, he began a productive work career at Starretts Factory in Athol. He became a salesman for the Liggett Myers Company, and achieved the role of Sales Manager for the Liggett Group during his 37 years of service to the company.
He and “Al“ moved to Tewksbury in 1955, and in their retirement years, wintered in Clearwater, Florida.
As a Tewksbury resident, he was the Charter Secretary for the Tewksbury-Wilmington B.P.O. Elks Lodge 2070, and was successfully elected and served on the Tewksbury School Committee, the Tewksbury Water Commission, and the Tewksbury Housing Authority. Leo loved politics and the stock market, and was ready to discuss either with others when visiting.
Leo always warmly greeted his family to his meticulously maintained home, and was happiest when they were all present. His family said; “ Our fondest memories will be of his love of family and the warmth he brought to his loving relationships.”
Besides his beloved wife, he leaves a daughter and son-in-law, Marianne E. and William Tsimtsos of Tewksbury; a grandson, Steven Tsimtsos of Norton; a granddaughter, Susan Desmond and her husband Joseph of Tewksbury; four adored great grandchildren, Ashley and Alexis, and Elena and Nicole; a sister, Eldora Bishop of Foxboro; many nieces and nephews; and was predeceased by his sisters, Winifred Clark, and Alice Morrison and brother Laddie Chibas.
Visiting hours Wednesday morning from 10:00 until 11:30 a.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, followed by a Funeral Mass on Wednesday, at 12:00 Noon in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury. Private burial will in Gethsemane Cemetery, Athol. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Leo D. Chibas Scholarship Fund for Electrical Engineering, P.O. Box 338, Athol, MA 01331-0338. Visit tewksburyfuneralhome.com