Chester Raymond Zara Sr.

Published in Chicago Suburban Daily Herald from June 16 to June 17, 2010

Chester Raymond Zara Sr. of Palatine for 47 years.

The family and friends of Chester Raymond Zara Sr., 85, will meet for funeral Mass at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 1201 E. Anderson Dr., Palatine.

Interment will be private.

Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 185 E. Northwest Highway, Palatine. Born Feb. 14, 1925, in Staten Island, N.Y., he died Tuesday, June 15, 2010.

A Navy veteran, Chester served in World War II in the South Pacific from 1943 to 1946, where he earned a Bronze Star. Upon discharge, he pursued a career playing professional baseball on several minor league teams. While playing baseball in South Dakota, Chester met his future wife, Martha.

He graduated from Dakota State University, formerly known as General Beadle State Teachers College. He continued graduate studies at the University of Minnesota. Chester began his business career at Dayton-Hudson Corporation, Minneapolis, where he was involved in designing and merchandising the first Target store.

He became a regional merchandise manager for the JC Penney Company in Chicago, where he worked for 22 years before retiring in 1985. After one week retirement, Chester worked seven more years for the York Luggage Company.

Chester was previously active in the Knights of Columbus and served as president of the Palatine High School Booster Club.

Chester was the beloved husband of Martha (nee Canney) for 57 years; loving father of Anthony Remi (Anne) and Chester Raymond Jr. (Diane) Zara; and cherished grandfather of Joseph Anthony, Christopher Francis, Nicholas Raymond, Chester John, Jacqueline Rose, Katherine Martha and Angela Marie Zara.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign, 1201 E. Anderson Dr., Palatine.