Wentworth, Chester T.

Chester T. Wentworth, 86, a lifelong resident of Canton, passed away February 10 at the Hellenic Nursing Home in Canton. Born in Norwood, he attended Canton High School and was a highly decorated Navy veteran of WWII.

He was drafted on April 20, 1943, and chose to enter the Navy. Following boot camp he was assigned to the carrier U.S.S. Block Island. The carrier was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat, and they were subsequently rescued by an American Navy escort ship.

After a short leave, he reported to San Diego on the second, newly commissioned U.S.S Block Island. Then he and his shipmates took part in the Okinawa invasion, where the kamikaze air attacks took a heavy toll on U.S. Navy ships and personnel. At war’s end, he was involved in transporting British prisoners of war from Japan to the Philippines. The Navy awarded him the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

In 1945 he returned to Canton and was employed at Draper Brothers for 10 years before joining the Canton Fire Department. He was appointed a call fireman in June 1949, and then in May of 1950 he was appointed a permanent, intermittent fireman and was elevated to full time in June of 1960, where he remained until he retired in 1989. He was a member of the American Legion Post #24 in Canton and the Boston Sparks Association.

Beloved husband of Beatrice F. (Cleary). Father of Karen and Chester T. Wentworth Jr., both of Canton. Brother of Dorothy Curran of Canton, Louise Bennett and Betty Allen, both of FL, and Helen Jones of KS. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held Monday morning, February 14, at the Dockray and Thomas Funeral Home. Interment Canton Corner Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Canton EMT Association, 99 Revere St., Canton, MA 02021. Arrangements by the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home, 455 Washington Street.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Feb 16 2011. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.