Chester W. Jenkins

Watertown – Mr. Chester Walter Jenkins, Sr., of Watertown, died peacefully at home on Thursday, January 21, 2016. He was 87.

Chet was born and raised in Newton and graduated from Newton North High School. In 1948 he joined the United States Army and served as a tank crewman during the Korean War. After his service overseas he became a tank instructor at West Point before being discharged as a sergeant.

He and his late wife, Madeline, lived in Newton before moving to Watertown fifty-five years ago. Until his retirement he worked as a machinist for thirty-four years for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

Chet and his family enjoyed vacations to Maine and fishing trips to Cuttyhunk Island every year. A movie aficionado, he had a collection of films, well known and obscure, that numbered in the thousands.

His beloved wife of sixty-three years, Madeline J. (Ricciardi) Jenkins died October 17, 2013.

Chet leaves his children, Chester Walter Jenkins, Jr. and his wife, Jayne, of Salem, Susan Jenkins and her husband, Michael Pyle, of Watertown, Ann Ater and her husband, Robert, of Arrowsic Maine, Gary Jenkins and his wife, Janet, of Watertown, Diane McClure of Tyngsboro, Joseph Jenkins of Watertown and Mary Jenkins and her husband, Ben Tobey, of Medford; his grandchildren, Michael, Mathew, Jessica, William and Sarah; his sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis Robillard and her husband, Cosmo Magliozzi, of Waltham; two great-grandchildren and two nephews.

He was also the son of the late Florence (Starkey) Eisenhauer, father-in-law of the late William McClure and brother-in-law of the late Jack and Joseph Ricciardi.

Family and friends will honor and remember Chet's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, January 26th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday morning when his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Salvation Army, 33 Myrtle St, Waltham, MA 02453 or to the Special Olympics, 512 Forest Street Marlborough, MA 01752.