Obituary of Chester R. Towsley

Chester R. Towsley, 92, of Corning Center for Rehabilitation, formerly of Woodhull, passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Corning Center. Chet was born in Allentown, PA on February 15, 1928, the son of the late Roger and Ella Colegrove Towsley. When Chet was a child, his parents moved from the Allentown area to South Canisteo, NY. Chet attended Canisteo schools. Chet was a code certified mason tender, often managing several crews of tenders to meet exacting requirements for color and texture of needed mortar batches. He was employed for many years by Bob Blunt Building Contractors in Corning. Chet enjoyed raising a large vegetable garden every year and his crops always produced wonderful yields of various vegetables. He also enjoyed cutting firewood in his retirement and would cut, split and stack several hundred cords a year for sale. He loved his pet cats and even had one that enjoyed riding along with Chet on his lawn tractor when he mowed grass. Surviving Chet are his siblings, Ronald Towsley of Painted Post, Viola (Duane) Stewart of Woodhull, Robert Towsley of Addison, James (Diane) Towsley of Hollywood FL and Sharon Towsley of Statesville, NC. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins. Chet was preceded in death by his long time companion, Viola O’Dell in 2000, his parents, Roger and Ella Towsley and his sisters, Alberta Aulin and Alfreda Tarbox. Family and friends may call on Monday, October 19 from 1 to 2 pm at the H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1607 Main St., Woodhull, NY. A memorial service will follow there at 2 pm with Rev. Brian Diffenbacher officiating. Burial will be in Woodhull Cemetery.