Chester “Chet” Francis Roginski, 93, formerly of Kewanee, died on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at Hawthorne Center in Sarasota, Florida. Although Chester spent the last 6 years living in Sarasota with his older daughter Diana Roginski-Harvey, and nearby his younger daughter Debbie Roginski, he considered himself a lifelong resident of Kewanee.

Chester was born on June 26, 1931 at his childhood home on the north side of Kewanee to Frank and Pearl (Szafranski) Roginski. He was the youngest of 10 children born to his Polish immigrant parents, 7 of whom survived to adulthood. He attended schools in Kewanee, including St. Stanislaus, where he considered himself lucky to be the only boy in his class. He graduated from Kewanee High School in 1950 where he met Dorothy Henry. They married on July 4, 1952, had two daughters and divorced in 1977.

As a first generation American, he took duty to his country seriously and enlisted in the Navy in 1951, where he served for a short time and was honorably discharged.

Chet largely worked as a laborer in Kewanee factories during their heyday. He later worked for the City of Kewanee in several different departments, where he served as President for the Local ASFCME union. He retired from the City of Kewanee cemetery department in 1993, where his motto was, “I’m the last guy to let you down.” In addition to his full-time jobs, Chet bartended at most of the popular restaurants, taverns and bars in Kewanee. He always had a kind word and a joke for everyone he served.

Chester was civically minded throughout his life. He never missed an election, and dabbled in politics with a run for the Kewanee Park Board in the early 1980’s.

Throughout his life, Chet was a sports enthusiast as a participant, official and fan. He played high school baseball and once tried out for the Baltimore Orioles. He continued his love for baseball by playing in Kewanee baseball and softball leagues well into his 60’s. His athletic talents extended to boxing as a Golden Glove team member for Kewanee, bowling as a league winning bowler where the 300 game was just out of grasp with his high game of 298, golf where he enjoyed the links at Baker Park in leagues and preferred ball tournaments including a repeat champion of the Pioneer Club’s tournament with younger daughter Debbie in his foursome, and volleyball as an enthusiastic participant of the first few Hog Days Mud Volleyball tournaments. On fall Friday nights through the late 1970s you would find Chet along the sidelines at high school football working the chains or on the field as a referee. In the winter, he wore the strips of a basketball referee for both Jr. High and High School games and in the summer, he was either behind the plate or on the field at baseball and softball games as an umpire. Chet "umped" for a decade with the Kewanee Ball Hawks. He was often praised for his clear and decisive calls behind the plate. He was a coach for his younger daughter’s softball team as well as a fan to her high school Sweet 16 basketball team. He cheered on his grandsons while they played soccer from pre-school through college. But always, his favorite team was baseball's St. Louis Cardinals until the day he died.

Chester enjoyed his time spent with fellow brothers at the Knights of Columbus and the Loyal Order of Moose. As thanks for his loyalty and longevity to the organizations, both made him a proud life-time member after he moved to Sarasota.

Chet was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Pearl Roginski, 3 siblings in infancy and sisters: Teresa Fullerton, Sophie Zmudka, Francie Ficek, Sally Sullivan and Eleanor Westlin, his brother Danny Roginski and two nephews, Larry Fullerton and Terry Westlin. He leaves behind his two daughters, Diana (Don) Roginski-Harvey and Debbie (John Parmentar) Roginski, both of Sarasota, FL, two grandsons Michael (Josie) Harvey of Jacksonville Beach, FL and Kevin Harvey, MD of Tampa, FL, and his adult "adopted daughter” Martha Shunn-King of Sarasota, FL. Also surviving, nephews: Dan Ficek and Dennis Westlin, nieces: Debbie Bogatitus, Marsha Westlin, and Pearl Faoro, who was his wonderful caregiver his last few years in Kewanee, many great nieces and nephews, his many god-children, and the niece and nephews from his marriage to Dorothy. A thank you also goes to Janet Pilarski, Kimmie Cummings and John Matuzyk for "eyes on our guy" near the end of Chet's Kewanee residency.

A man of strong Catholic faith, Chet believed that one of our purposes during our time on earth is to care for each other. In honor of his faith, the family is asking for donations be made in his memory to Kewanee Schools Care Closet. This is a new fund which provides important resources for any student with basic needs. Donations can be made through the Kewanee Schools Foundation.

A celebration of his life is being planned in Kewanee at a future date. The family will make an announcement when details are available.

Chester will be missed for his sense of humor and the love he freely gave his family and friends. The last of his generation, he had wanted to make it to 100, but in the end he said, “93 is pretty good.”