Chester (Chet) Michael Galuska died on Sunday, July 28, 2019, at the age of 90. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, raised his family in Lemont, Illinois and moved to Tampa, Florida in 1979. He was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle.

Chester is survived by his wife, Dorothy Skweres Galuska; his three children Carol Shelleman (David Hughes), Diane Werner (Robert), Michael Galuska (Dawn); grandson Eric Shelleman (Michelle); and many nephews and nieces. Preceding him in death were his father Stanley Galuska, mother Sophie Tama Galuska, and brother Mitchell Galuska.

Chet's life work spanned many aspects of sales and marketing, human resources, and entrepreneurship. While working full-time, he also farmed 40 acres, volunteered at church, served as president of the local Lions Club, cared for his aging parents, and fully participated in all the life activities of his three children, with his loving wife of 70 years always at his side. Later he became the most amazing Grandpa to Eric.

Chet loved sports. He was a football player in high school, a golfer in life, and a source of major frustration to all who challenged him on the tennis or racquetball court. He could beat the younger crowd by just standing in one place and artfully returning the ball so that his opponents did all the running. He loved his Chicago Cubbies, Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls.

Chet would never say no to anyone who needed help. His forever phrase until the end was "how can I help?" If anyone in the family or friends needed anything, Chet was the one they went to for guidance and assistance. His love and care were always without strings. Unconditional love was what he always offered.

In his later years, Chet pursued his love of tinkering in his woodshop. His favorite thing was making wooden toys for children. He would take boxes of toys to his favorite charity regularly, donating thousands of cars, trucks, planes, etc. over his retirement years.

We are grateful to all the caregivers and staff at Elmcroft Senior Living, Sunrise Brighton Gardens and Carrollwood Care skilled nursing centers, St. Joseph's Hospitals, and Florida Medical Clinic for all the loving care given to Chester. If you could ask him today how he was doing, and if he could respond, you know he would say, "never better!"

A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 2, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa FL 33618. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in honor of Chester be directed toward Alzheimer's research. For our local center, checks may be made out to "USF Foundation, Inc." and mailed to:

USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute

Attn. Anne Timmel

12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC70

Tampa, FL 33612

"ENTRUSTED TO OUR CARE"

MacDonald Funeral Home