Chester V. Fantozzi

FITCHBURG – Chester V. Fantozzi passed away peacefully on August 1, 2025, at UMass Memorial HealthAlliance--Clinton Hospital in Leominster after a brief illness. Born in Leominster, he was the son of the late Peter and Loretta (Lanza) Fantozzi. Chet was the loving husband of Nancy A. (Buckley) Fantozzi, with whom he shared 64 years of marriage.

Chet was a graduate of Leominster High School (Class of 1951) and Worcester Academy. After serving in Korea with the United States Army, he attended Norwich University where he made many lifelong friends and enjoyed returning for Class of 1959 reunions. Following graduation, he began a 39-year career in the Sunglass Division of Foster Grant Corporation and, after its sale in 1991, Fosta-Tek Optics, Inc.

A longtime resident of Fitchburg, Chet was a devoted member of St. Bernard’s Parish. He was a voracious reader of historical non-fiction biographies and Michael Connelly detective novels. He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed following the Red Sox and Patriots. When his sons were young, he found joy in Saturday visits to the Foster Grant plant floor, fishing expeditions to Lake Whalom and Hickory Hills and the occasional round of golf.

In addition to his beloved wife, he will be lovingly missed and remembered by his five sons, Thomas and his wife Donna of Southborough, MA; Michael and his wife Anne of Winchester, MA; Martin and his wife Susanna of West Newton, MA; John and his wife Elizabeth of Melrose, MA; and Robert and his wife Moriah of Melrose, MA. Chet was the proud grandfather of fourteen grandchildren—Joseph, Andrew, John (Lindsay), Matthew, Eve, Grace, Maria (Fran), Peter (Maria), Anna, Paul, Rose (Dominic), Ellen, Jane, and Chester. He relished the chance to spend time with his grandchildren and watched them play a wide range of sports and perform in plays, concerts, and recitals.

Chet is also survived by his caring sisters-in-law Ellen Jersyzk and her husband Jeffrey of Fitchburg and Noreen Guartafierro and her companion Michael Lanza of Leominster, with whom he enjoyed regular Friday night dinners out. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his two brothers Angelo and his wife Pauline and Mario (Mike) and his wife Dorothy, his twin sisters Esther and her husband Richard Lavin and Glorinda and her husband Paul (Buddy) Beers and his brother-in-law Larry Guartafierro.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Chet’s family from 4 to 7 PM on Thursday, August 7, in the Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Friday, August 8 at St. Bernard’s Parish at St. Camillus de Lellis Church, 333 Mechanic Street, Fitchburg. Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Chet’s name to St. Bernard’s Elementary School, 254 Summer Street, Fitchburg MA 01420 (stbernardselementary.org).