Chester H. “Chet’ Dusseault, 86, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2005 in Darien, CT. He was born March 2, 1919 in Natick, MA the son of Susie C. and Charles Dusseault.
Mr. Dusseault graduated from Wayland (MA) High School in 1936 where he was an outstanding football and baseball player which led to a tryout with the Boston Braves.
In 1936, he married Barbara McMullin of Newton, MA who was his bride for 63 years until her death in 2000.
Mr. Dusseault worked for the Coca-Cola Company for 40 years, interrupted only by his service in the United States Army during World War II. He was assigned to the 262nd Infantry Regiment, 66th “Panther” Division. On Christmas Eve 1944, the S.S. Leopoldville was transporting Mr. Dusseault’s unit from England to France when it was torpedoed by a German U-Boat. Over 800 of the soldiers did not survive; Mr. Dusseault was one of the fortunate ones. Mr. Dusseault returned from Europe after the war and went back to Coca-Cola as a route salesman and eventually worked his way up to a district manager position.
A long time resident of Needham, MA, Mr. Dusseault was a member of the Christ Episcopal Church. He was also an active member of the Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge. He and his wife Barbara relocated to Venice, FL in the early 1980’s where he quickly became involved in the local tennis league. Mr. Dusseault eventually became the captain of the Sr. Men’s tennis team. He also served as Sarasota County Fire Commissioner, was a dedicated parishioner of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, a member of the Hibiscus Association of Florida, and the Lion’s Club of Venice.
For the past four years, Mr. Dusseault had enjoyed a loving friendship with Mrs. Joan Lambert of Englewood, FL which continued until the time of his death.
He is survived by his son, Dean and his wife, Gail Roberts Dusseault of Belmont, MA; and his daughter Daryl Nevard and her companion Clifford DeForest of Darien, CT ; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Dusseault was predeceased by his wife Barbara and his three brothers, Arthur, Alfred and Roscoe.
Relatives and friends may call at the Eaton Funeral Home, at 1351 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA on Friday, November 4, 2005 from 6-8 PM. A funeral service will be held at Christ Church Chapel, 1132 Highland Avenue, Needham on Saturday, November 5, 2005 at 10AM. Interment will follow at Needham Cemetery, 128 Nehoiden Street, Needham.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 513 Nassau Street S., Venice, FL or Christ Church, 1132 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492.
The Edward Lawrence Funeral Home handled the local arrangements.