Chester M. Humphrey's Obituary
Chester M. Humphrey (US Navy (Vet.) & Lt. ECSD (Ret.)) was born in South Hamilton, Massachusetts on June 20th, 1945, and passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, October 22, 2023, in Ocala, Florida after a lengthy battle with illness.
He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 53 years, Margaret; his daughter Kimberly Humphrey of Clearwater, Florida; his son Wayne Humphrey, daughter-in-law Melissa, and granddaughters Elora and Catherine of Brockton, Massachusetts, and leaves behind several nieces and nephews and extended family.
He is pre-deceased by his parents Hovey and Grace Humphrey, a sister and brother-in-law Sylvia and Roger Gaskill, a brother, Richard Howell, and a half-brother and sister-in-law Leon and Ruby Mercer.
Chester was raised in South Hamilton and was a proud member of the United States Navy and served onboard the USS Glover from 1966 to 1970. After his time in the Navy, he started his own small local painting business serving the town of Hamilton and the North Shore. He was known for painting certain landmarks around the town of Hamilton – the Patton Park pool before the start of the summer months, the maintenance building near the pond, and various buildings at Myopia Hunt Club, as well as other structures and homes in the surrounding areas.
In 1987, he started a new and exciting career with the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, starting at the Salem Jail and the new Middleton Jail/ House of Corrections when it opened in February 1991, where he retired as a Lieutenant in 2001. During his 13 years working for the Sheriff’s Department, he built friendships with his fellow officers and peers who have become lifelong family friends. With his love of animals, in his spare time, Chester would also volunteer to serve his community as the Animal Control officer for both Georgetown and Rowley Massachusetts.
Even though he and Margaret relocated to Fruitland Park, Florida in 2013, he remained a devoted fan of the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox never missing a game. When possible, he loved to go fishing and travel with his family, especially to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He was a huge fan of Elvis Presley, John Wayne, and anything related to Westerns and Classic movies.
Please join us for a Celebration of Chester’s Life at the First United Methodist Church, located at 391 Bay Road South Hamilton, Massachusetts, on Saturday, June 22 at 10:00 am, followed by an interment ceremony at the Hamilton Cemetery, located at 577 Bay Road in Hamilton.
Following the service, the Humphrey family cordially invites family and friends to join us for refreshments back at the First United Methodist Church for all to gather and to commemorate his life.
What’s your fondest memory of Chester?
What’s a lesson you learned from Chester?
Share a story where Chester's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Chester you’ll never forget.
How did Chester make you smile?