PITTSTON — A few days before his 100th birthday, Chester Montante was found placing a U.S. flag in the pole stand in his backyard. Granted, not many people could see the flag from his backyard but, to Chester, posting the colors is part of his daily routine.
Chester was born May 30, 1919, one of four children, and lived all of his life in Pittston, worshiping at the former St. Rocco’s Church in the Oregon section. St. Rocco’s was his world and he is still saddened by its closing a few years ago.
Chester was the first child to be baptized at St. Rocco’s and had the honor of locking the door during the church closing ceremony.
For a man about to turn a century old, there isn’t a wrinkle on his face and he’s proud to show you his hands. “Look, not a knob on my fingers – straight as an arrow,” Chester boasted. “My appetite is good and I don’t have pain.”
The only thing Chester could think of medically was a case of appendicitis when he returned to the states from the service.
Chester graduated from Pittston High School in 1937 and was drafted into the Army, serving in the medical corps during World War II.
While serving is Europe, he would often visit his high school classmate, Michael Augello, who also turned 100 years old this year. “He was a good cook and we often would hop in the truck to visit him for a great meal,” Chester said.
For the last 28 years, Chester has called Johnson Street home since he married his second wife Maria Capolarella-Montante. Both came into the marriage as widows and, according to Maria, they met through a support group for widows at St. Rocco’s.
Chester’s first wife Concetta passed away from cancer after the couple was married for more than 40 years. Maria’s first husband died from an embolism at the age of 45.
Chester and Concetta had three daughters. He most recently suffered the loss of his eldest, Ann, to cancer. She died in California and he was not able to attend her funeral due to the distance.
His daughter Charlene lives in Georgia and his daughter Caroline resides in Florida. He is the proud grandfather of three grandsons.
When you ask Chester about his childhood, he will fondly tell you about the days of owning a shoeshine shop. He’ll tell you it wasn’t a shoeshine stand in front of a store, but an actual shop.
When he speaks of those days, he does so with a smile as he had a chance to meet just about everyone at his downtown Pittston store.
After spending some years in the linen supply industry, Chester found a supervisor’s job at Owens-Illinois, from where he retired what seems like an entire lifetime ago at the age of 63, some 37 years ago. “They’re still sending a check,” Chester quipped.
Chester was successful in every job he had in his lifetime, except when he worked at a local cemetery.
“We used to play cards on top of the caskets,” he said, laughing. “We got caught and I got fired.”
Once he married Maria, life became a whirlwind because of her involvement in many civic organizations. Wherever Maria goes, Chester is right behind — quiet, but attentive to his wife’s every move.
Even though there is a 15-year difference in the couple’s ages, their marriage has worked every single day.
“I told her I was too old for her, but she didn’t think so,” Chester said.
Maria said they get along extremely well, except when she’s driving. “It’s the only time we argue,” she quipped.
Even at 100 years old, Chester is very active in the garden, having just planted tomatoes the previous week.
“Oh, my legs don’t move like they used to,” he admits, but he still does way more than Maria approves. Those legs moved very well earlier in his life when he and Maria belonged to the Big Band Society. “He always loved to dance,” Maria said.
When asked how it feels to be 100 years old, Chester looked off into the distance and said, “I don’t know. I don’t really think about it too much – I guess I can’t believe it; it’s unbelievable.”
Chester believes he’s led a good clean life. He’s never indulged in alcohol but does love his red wine. Could that possibly be his secret to a long life?
Maria prodded Chester to admit his secret formula to a long life.
Chester rolled his eyes and smiled.
“Church, that’s one thing, and you’re not going to believe it, but it’s whole milk, and love,” Chester said, winking his eye.
“We’ve had a lot fun in our life … a lot of laughs,” Maria said. “And he loves to sing.”
Maria “surprised” Chester with a birthday party at a church meeting at St. Joseph Marello Hall two weeks ago.
“It was supposed to be a surprise, but when Maria saw what I was wearing to the meeting, she asked me to change,” Chester said. That tipped him off to a potential party.
An official 100th birthday party will take place today at Fox Hill Country Club where 85 of Chester’s family and friends will be on hand to celebrate the milestone.
