Chester Gdanski
1933-2019
Gdanski, Dr Chester John DDS. FAGD (Ches/Chet)
Grief is the price we pay for love.
And so, in his 86th year, with profound sorrow, we endure the loss of
a wonderful husband, father and grandfather; cherished son and
brother.
Born in Hamilton in 1933 to Barbara and Stephen Gdanski; they were
hard working Polish immigrants who instilled in Chester a work ethic
that would define his life.
Chester recently told his middle daughter Andrea that he knew he
wanted to be a dentist very early on. He had a rather
“rough” visit to a dentist and thought “I can do a
better job than that.” and he never looked back.
Chester graduated from University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry in
1957. He was a lifetime member of the Ontario Dental Association and
the Niagara Dental Association. In 1982 he earned a Fellowship of the
Academy of General Dentistry. Dr Gdanski will be fondly remembered for
his highly skilled, gentle approach to dentistry for the people of
Grimsby and surrounding areas. He was highly regarded by the many
families he served for the 35 years he practiced his profession. There
were many saddened families in the area when Chester retired in
1992.
Chester served for eleven years on the board of directors of West
Lincoln Memorial Hospital. He was part of the committee that raised
community funds to build the Grimsby Community Center.
He raised funds for Brock University. He raised funds for the current
building of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.
Ches’ love of his life is Dorothy (Andrusiw). They shared a 60
year marriage. Dorothy will miss the kind and gentle way he carried
himself through life and his strength and unconditional love he
showered her with daily. They just celebrated Valentine’s Day
together and Steven said they were “carrying on like a couple of
love struck teens. ”Now, that is love! We all must learn from
this kind of endearing love that is forever. Even Death cannot divide
it!
Chester’s proudest accomplishment in life are his five children:
Steven (Jo-Anne) of Grimsby and Mississauga, Susan Fraser (Graham) of
Penticton, BC, Andrea Sheehan (Kevin) of Barrie, Christopher (Jackie)
of Regina,Sask. and Pamela Haines (Vince)of Toronto. He has 13
beautiful, healthy grandchildren that truly know of the depths of his
love for each and every one of them. His grandchildren: Ryann,
Matthew, Emily, Lucas, Andrew, Carson, Eryn, Logan, Sydney, Spencer,
Landon, Aedan and Madison will miss his gentle, loving nature and the
way he made them feel so very special and loved every time they talked
to him.
“Papa Ches”, as he was lovingly referred, took his entire
family of 25 on a Caribbean cruise 10 years ago to celebrate their
50th wedding anniversary. This is yet another example of the selfless,
generous nature he showered on his family and friends throughout his
long life.
Ches also leaves behind his loving sister Stella (Paul) Rupert of
Sudbury and brother Joe (Jean) Gdanski of St.Catharines who will miss
him dearly.
Ches never left his family roots and continued to farm in the Niagara
region during and after his dentistry career. He truly poured his
heart and soul into his vineyards. He continued to nurture his green
thumb in the gardens at his home at 265 Ridge Road East where he and
Dorothy resided for the past 53 years.
In Chester’s spare time during his younger years he was a Eucharistic
minister at the Old Parish of St Joseph’s. Ches enjoyed curling,
golf and being with family and friends. He and Dorothy are founding,
lifetime members at Twenty Valley Golf Club. His favorite pastime was
being in his beautiful backyard, surrounded by family and friends.
Ches was a dedicated founding member of the YMCA, Grimsby.
Ches had a unique way of making everyone he met feel special and
treated everyone with attention and respect.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic
Church on Saturday, March 2 at 11:00am, 135 Livingston Avenue, Grimsby
(905-945-2661). The community is invited to a Celebration of Life at
the Grimsby Town Hall on Saturday, March 2, from 1 – 3 pm. 160
Livingston Avenue, Grimsby. L3M 4G3. Eulogy is scheduled for 2pm.
No flowers please. Donations are welcomed in Chester’s memory to
McNally Hospice House in Grimsby. This was the oasis that allowed our
family the best transition possible. Alternatively, donations to
Grimsby YMCA are encouraged.
Please visit www.pjdartefh.ca for more information.
“Thank you kindly.” CJG
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Chester Gdanski 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: St-Catharines, Province: Ontario