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Chet Zagrubski Rememberance

Chester A. Zagrubski (1927 – 2017)


The Buckland Riders Snowmobile Club members are saddened by the passing of long time member and past president Chet Zagrubski on April 3, 2017. Here are some thoughts from members and his obituary from the Greenfield Recorder.

Sorry to hear of Chet’s passing, we had a lot of memories together, especially after the meetings at the Eagles over “BLACKBERRY BRANDYS”, Chet’s favorite sipping drink!
– Paul Orzechowski

Chet came over to our house to show Gale & I the ski-doo with reverse. He kept that a couple years & realized he didn’t really believe “If I can’t start it with a rope I should stay home” and traded the ski-doo for a brand new left over Artic-Cat with reverse AND electric start.  He wound up with a free tee shirt from the Tap & Die that came from Norton Abrasives that makes grinding wheels. The shirt said “I can be very abrasive”. That shirt certainly was never really meant for Chet. Watch out for the snow “Snakes” that dwell on the hill between here and Ed & Clara’s. I’m sure they will still dispense the cure if you’re bitten. We will miss his little visits. Smooth trails Chet!!
– Dick & Gale Hillman

Chet was a great guy and an icon of the club! He always had a nice story to tell and loved riding over to his brothers house in Conway for a visit. We will all miss him and his pleasant ways.
– Dave and Tammy Lowell

GREENFIELD RECORDER, BUCKLAND (April 6, 2017) – Chester A. Zagrubski, 89, of 4 Goodnow Road, Buckland died Monday, April 3, at home.
He was born in Brattleboro, VT, June 11, 1927, the son of Andrew and Regina (Shensky) Zagrubski.
He was a 1945 graduate of Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls.
A WWII veteran he enlisted in the US Navy on June 7, 1945 and was honorably discharged on July 16, 1946.
He was stationed on the USS Colorado BB45. He was the recipient of the WWII Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal.
Prior to retirement in 1993 he was employed for 40 years by the Greenfield Tap & Die.
He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Shelburne Falls, the South Deerfield Polish American Club and the Shelburne Falls Rod & Gun Club.
Chet enjoyed snowmobiling and fishing. He was an avid reader.
His wife the former Irene Billiel predeceased him on Sept. 6, 2012.
Survivors include his son Greg Zagrubski of Buckland; his daughter Patricia Nash of Placerville, California; 1 brother Edward Zagrubski of Ashfield; 4 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 7, at 2:00 pm at Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home in Shelburne Falls.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Calling hours will be held from 12 noon until the time of the service.
It is suggested donations be made to either Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway Street., Greenfield, MA 01301 or the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.