Chester J. Washington

Chester James Washington was born February 2, 1928 to the late Chester and Henrietta (Colston) Washington in Newark, NJ. He departed this life on Monday, March 28, 2016 peacefully at home in Lakewood, NJ.

Chester, known by many as “Sonny”, was educated in the Newark Public Schools System. Following graduation from South Side High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served a short term within the U.S. Quartermaster Corps, Ft. Lee, VA.

Chester worked for Proctor and Gamble Manufacturing Company of Staten Island, NY for many years until his retirement in 1993. He was an active member of the VFW Post 9521, the American Legion Post 0166, and the NJ Region of Blinded Veterans Association.

Chester was married to his beloved wife, the late Louise (Blanks) Washington for over 29 years, and from that union reared three children: Ulaise, Rosalyn and Chester III.

Chester was baptized and attended church regularly as a young boy. During the late 1990s he attended Community Baptist Church in Beckerville, NJ. In 2008 he attended services regularly at Christ Church in Howell, NJ. In March of 2012 Chester rededicated his life to the Lord and attended Calvary Lighthouse Church in Lakewood, NJ until his illness in 2014.

Chester was predeceased by his brothers Lonnie, Roy and Colston, and his sister Valerie. He leaves to cherish his memory: one son Chester (Jacqueline) Washington of Woodstock, GA and daughters Ulaise (Ronald) Turner of Nashville, TN and Rosalyn Washington of Lakewood, NJ, along with four daughters from his former wife, Linda (Danny) Gaskins of Plainfield, NJ, Janis (Michael-deceased) Tillotson of Waldorf, MD, Patricia Washington of Union, NJ and Rosalind Washington of Elizabeth, NJ; a sister Doris Faulkner of Newark, NJ and a brother Robert (Iva) Washington of Norfolk, VA; sister-in-laws Marilyn Washington of Fayetteville, NC, Rosalee Blanks of Kelly, NC, Ruth (Johnny) Colon of Deptford, NJ; and fourteen grand children, seven great-grand children, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.