Chester Meros

      On July 9, 2026, Chester Meros passed away at age 110! Chester was born on July 14, 1915, in New Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He shared a remarkable 70-year marriage with the love of his life, Helen Lubinski Meros, building a life centered on faith, family, hard work, and music. 

      As a young man during the Great Depression, Chester worked as a freelance coal miner before moving to Baltimore on April 7, 1941. There, he began a long career as a welder at Bethlehem Steel, where he proudly helped build more than 500 Liberty, Victory, and Tank Landing ships for the U.S. Navy during World War II. He remained with Bethlehem Steel until his retirement in 1977.

      Retirement opened the door to new adventures. Chester and Helen fulfilled their love of travel by visiting family in Poland and exploring the United States, Canada, and Mexico in their camper. Yet no matter where life took him, family was always at the center of his world. He cherished every opportunity to babysit his grandchildren, attend family gatherings, and simply spend time with those he loved.

      A true Maryland waterman at heart, Chester found great joy on the Severn River. He loved crabbing from his small boat with his trotline and was always delighted to return home with bushels of crabs to share generously with family and friends. He could be found heading out on the water by himself once a week during the summer until the age of 89.  

      Music was woven throughout Chester’s life. He loved to sing and was instrumental in forming the family band, The Meros Brothers, who appeared twice on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour and performed at numerous local venues and talent shows. His love of music continued through his children. His sons Dennis and Stan both played in local bands, while his son Gene became a saxophonist, recording engineer, and musician in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, working with artists including Kiss, Van Halen, and Amy Grant. Chester especially treasured the years he spent backstage and attending Beach Boys concerts when his late son Mike performed on keyboards and Gene joined the band as a guest saxophonist. To those who knew him best, however, Chester will always be remembered for filling every visit with the timeless songs of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, often singing from the heart and bringing smiles to everyone around him.

      As the oldest man in Maryland, and 2nd oldest man in the Unites States, Chester believed the secret to a long and fulfilling life was simple: maintain a good attitude, stay active, surround yourself with music, and appreciate life’s simple blessings. He lived those values every day, leaving behind a legacy of perseverance, generosity, laughter, and unwavering love for his family that will continue to inspire all who knew him.

      Loved ones can find comfort knowing Chester is greeted in Heaven by his loving wife Helen, son Michael Meros, parents Antoni and Veronica Miros, siblings Andrew, Michael, Joseph, John, Sadie Meros Stout, Virginia Meros Doran, Eleanor Meros Barone, Edward and Theodore, along with other family and friends. He was the devoted father of Gene, Stanley and wife Anita, Dennis and wife Pam, Terry Meros, Debbie Zawitoski and husband Dave, and father-in-law of Jane, Sandy, and the late Judy; cherished grandfather of Chris, Stephanie, Valerie, Meghan, Kelley, Austin, Amanda, Jackie, Lindsey, Julie, Bridget and Amie; dear great grandfather of Michael, Sean, Lawson, Graydon, McKenna, Leo, Reagan, Evan, Drew, Paige, Wyatt, Allison, Dean, Brooke, Cameron, James.

      Relatives and friends may visit Gonce Funeral Service, P.A., 4001 Ritchie Highway, on Thursday (July 16, 2026) from 3 to 7P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Athanasius Chapel on Friday at 11 A.M., followed by interment in Cedar Hill Cemetery. 

      In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the SS John W. Brown Project Liberty Ship. 

Feel free to express your condolences on his tribute wall. 

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