McLaren Jr., Chester S.

Our beloved Chester S. McLaren, Jr., 86 of Wilmington DE, formerly of Carneys Point, NJ passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving at Foulk Manor North, Wilmington, DE after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

The family wishes to thank all caregivers at Foulk Manor North and South, and the entire care team at Vitas hospice company for their loving care during his illness as well as Donald & Linda McLaren and Joe Budischak for their weekly visits.

Chester graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1953, attended Ohio State from 1953-1955 and went on to serve in the US Army, stationed at Ft. Hood, TX from July 6, 1955-July 3, 1958 where he learned to be a Dental Technician.

His career dream was to be employed by the DuPont Company which he achieved by working as a Lab Technician at the DuPont Experimental Station in Wilmington, DE. He embraced the company culture of Safety First as a lifelong part of his personality.

His joy was music–a masterful piano player, he also played flute and other instruments and was a longtime member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church choir.

Chester loved building and construction—being a Maker of Things and a Master of Repairs, he was a talented artist in both painting and sculpture, an avid gardener, with a fascination of the night sky and a love of Astronomy, he traveled extensively with his family and with his wife both in the US and the world and enjoyed Civil War History.

His greatest achievement in this life was being a loving and devoted husband to his wife Ruth Anne McLaren for 56 years, an incredible and beloved father, grandfather, uncle and brother. Chester was patient, loving, kind with a bright smile for everyone who showed his love through acts of service both in his family and community by volunteering at The Emmanuel Dining Room, The Grand Opera House, and Longwood Gardens.

He is Survived by: Ruth Anne McLaren-Wilmington, DE (wife) Gretchen McLaren-Raleigh, NC (daughter) Carrie Antonelli-Wilmington, DE (daughter) Isabella Antonelli-Wilmington, DE (granddaughter) Dominic Antonelli-Wilmington, DE (grandson) Donald McLaren-Carneys Point, NJ (brother) Linda McLaren- Carneys Point, NJ (sister-in-law) Heather McCoy-Pennsville, NJ (niece) Dan McCoy-Pennsville, NJ (nephew) Austin McCoy-Pennsville, NJ (great nephew) Katie McCoy-Pennsville, NJ (great niece) And many, many other relatives.

Please lift your voices in song in celebration of Chester’s life at the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am on Thursday December 2, 2021 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (4701 Weldin Road Wilmington, DE 19803). Visitation will begin at 10:00am. Interment at Delaware Veterans Cemetery will be private. In light of Covid the family requests everyone in attendance wear a mask.

Please bring your memories and stories of Chester to share at the Remembrance Repast immediately following the funeral at Hollywood Grill (1811 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE 19803).

To view the service online live, please visit: https:IHM/youtu.be/vuMXGltmL_Y

To view a recording of the service online, please visit: https://my.gather.app/remember/chester-mclaren-jr

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Chester S. McLaren Jr’s name can be made to:
Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter 399 Market St #250 Philadelphia, PA 19106 or Emmanuel Dining Room 121 N Jackson St Wilmington, DE 19805

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