MECHANICVILLE - Chester L. “Chet” Ciepiela, 81, of Johnson Rd., died peacefully at his residence July 21, 2016 after a brief illness. Born on August 6, 1934 in Halfmoon, NY, he was the son of the late Ludwig and Sophie Skalak Ciepiela.

He was the loving husband of 56 years to Marilyn Sweeney Ciepiela, who died on June 26, 2012. Although Chet was surrounded by his loving family, the loss of Marilyn resulted in a broken heart and his life was never the same without her.
He is survived by his loving children Debbie(Dave) Papura and Daniel Ciepiela, both of Mechanicville, grandson Joseph “Joey” Papura, and sisters Anna Mickalonis of Stillwater and Mona McBride of Mechanicville as well as many nieces and nephews.

Chet worked as a brakeman and conductor for the D & H Railroad in Mechanicville for several years and had also worked for the former WESVACO as well as the Town of Halfmoon. As a young man he worked on the family farm while going to school.

Chet was a true “green thumb”, always managing a successful garden. He enjoyed tending to the various fruits and vegetables he grew, and more importantly, loved sharing them with family and friends. An avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed rides into Vermont, through the Battlefield to look for deer, but more importantly just being out and about with Marilyn. Every Saturday and Sunday you were sure to hear polish music playing throughout his home and he rarely missed a night of Wheel of Fortune.


Calling Hours will be Wednesday July 27th from 9-11AM at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2001 Route 9, Round Lake, NY 12151. At 11AM, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with burial to follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery, Mechanicville.

Those wishing to remember Chet in a special way may make a memorial contribution to the National Wildlife Federation, PO BOX 1583, Merrifield, VA 22116-1583 in his memory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Chester L. "Chet" Ciepiela, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.