Mr. Chester F. Potash

Chester F. Potash, age 90, of Pittsfield, MA passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Berkshire Medical Center after a brief illness. He had been a patient at Albany Medical Center and then Mt Greylock Extended Care Center for the past two months. Chet was born in Pittsfield, MA . He was the youngest son of Frank and Mary Potash. He graduated from Saint Joseph’s Central High School in Pittsfield, MA in 1953. He was drafted in December 1956 and served in the United States Army for two years from 1956 to 1958 working as a draftsman with the Army Corps of Engineers at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.. He met his wife of 64 years, Gertrude Eleanor Hanlon (Trudy), at Jug End Barn Resort. They married on September 12, 1959, at Our Lady of Libera Church in West New York, NJ. Chet worked in industrial design and engineering, first as a draftsman for Hill Engineering in Dalton, MA and later as a partner in his own business: Potash, Delmolino & Davis Engineering for Industry, also located in Dalton, MA. There he worked as a project manager, designer, surveyor, optical alignment operator, and field supervisor. He retired at the age of 80 when the business closed. Chet was a communicant of Saint Mark’s Church, where he was the Eucharistic Minister Coordinator for many years. He also taught the adult Baptism class for parents and godparents with his wife, Trudy. Chet was a member of the Good Shepard Prayer Group. Chet and Trudy were very involved in Marriage Encounter as Team Leaders. Chet loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and walks in the woods. He also enjoyed bowling and golfing. He earned his private pilot’s license after learning to fly at the Walter J. Koladza Airport in Great Barrington, MA. He was an artist who loved to draw and paint from an early age. He was a wonderful cook. He mixed great drinks. He loved family, he loved people and he loved to entertain. He was a great dad who loved each of his five children dearly. Chet is survived by his children: Cathy Walsh (Bill) of Great Barrington, MA, Chet Potash (Leslie) of North Adams, MA, Caryn Kirk (Tim) of Raleigh, NC, Christopher Potash of Rochester, NY, and Joseph Potash of Pittsfield, MA; his grandchildren: Brittany, Matthew, and Michael Walsh, McKenzie Hebert, Mitchell Anderson, Ryan Kirk (Megan), Evan Kirk (Victoria), Chloe, Molly, and Lucy Potash; his great grandchildren: Nora and Emily Kirk, and Callum Atwell; many nieces and nephews, and his beloved little dog, Czesiu. He was preceded in death by his wife, Trudy; by his grandsons, Joseph and Charles Potash; by his brothers, Frank and Walt Potash; and by his nephew, Thomas Potash. The family wishes to thank the staff at Mt. Greylock Extended Care Center for their loving care and kindness toward Chet. You are all angels! Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Chester F. Potash will be Friday, June 7, 2024 with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11am at St. Mark’s Church, celebrated by the Rev. John Salatino, Pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Westfield. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday, June 6, 2024, from 4pm to 6pm at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St, Pittsfield MA 01201. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to the Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201 in care of the funeral home.