Clinton J. Chesbro, Jr.

Rensselaer- Clinton John Chesbro Jr., 74 years old, lifelong resident of Rensselaer, New York died on Saturday, December 19th at Albany Medical Center following a courageous six-day battle against Covid-19. John was born on May 30, 1946, the son of the late Beulah Mae (Wilson) and Clinton John Chesbro, Sr. and was truly the center of their world and light of their lives. Their profound love and strong values instilled the many great qualities that encapsulated his being. Family first, a strong work ethic will always help you to succeed in life, and laughter is the best medicine were his mantras. He attended and graduated from Rensselaer High School in 1964. He was known as the class clown and practical jokester, which is no surprise to those who knew him later in life. John enjoyed participating in high school track, tennis, however his true love was football. He was the center on the very first football team at Rensselaer High School in 1962. John proudly played for Coach John Mahar and Assistant Coach Walter Dlugolecki with his friends Lou Mulligan, George Stark and Ed Bonacker his junior and senior years. Cheering him on the sidelines of those football games was the love of his life and favorite cheerleader Linda (Browne), who went on to become his wife of 56 years. Following graduation from Rensselaer High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Upon his graduation from Basic Training Camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, he married the love of his life, Linda, on base. John went on to serve our country and fought in Vietnam serving on the front lines and performing recon work in North Vietnam. Although he never mentioned this to his family, they recently learned he received numerous citations and awards, including the Presidential Unit Citation, for his actions. Following Sergeant Chesbro’s time in Vietnam, he taught marksmanship as a Pistol and Rifle (Sharpshooter) Instructor at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. After serving his country he returned to the Capital District area and joined Carpenter’s Union Local#117 from 1968 until 1972. He worked with Jimmy Hicks and Kevin Hicks on various prominent projects that enhanced our area including the construction of the Empire State Plaza, The Egg Theater, and Albany High School. In 1972, he joined the Boilermaker’s Union and worked at the Kessling Ring Site for General Dynamics. Working side by side with Ray Altrock, James McCabe and Dennis O’Connor on a nuclear submarine in West Milton until 1979. Following his time working at General Dynamics, he started his thirty-year career with the New York State Office of General Services. Initially working for Pete Brown at the Albany New York Solid Waste Energy Recovery System on Sheridan Avenue as a crane operator. He went onto to serve in various capacities working at the ANSWERS Plant daily with John Fitzgerald, Dennis O’Connor and Mike Donnini, Sr. He spent the last twenty years with New York State honing the craft and art of welding, which he loved, as a Certified High Pressure Steam Welder / Mechanical Specialist. While he mentored many in the welding program, he also built lifelong friendships with his coworkers, A.J. Rainone, Marcus Morales, Angel Rosa, Bill Joslin, Tim Devoost, Tim Brown, T.A. Brown, and Bob Monaghan. After his retirement from New York State in 2009, John would regularly meet with his old friends for lunches at their favorite spot, The Hill Street Café, and would catch up, talk about their families and reminisce. He was an avid reader of historical pieces, loved trivia, word of the day, Jeopardy, family vacations in Ocean City, New Jersey, enjoying a cold beverage and a laugh with his best friend, George Farrell, watching their beloved Yankees, Giants and University of Alabama football play a great game. Last year for his birthday, he had a dream come true as he and George were on the jumbotron at Yankee Stadium and witnessed their Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays. The only thing that meant more to John in life was the profound love for his family…most notably his girls, Linda, Jacqueline, Kirsten, Skyler, and surrogate granddaughter, Maddie Dinardo. He loved to spend time and make those around him laugh as life is too short. Always sitting at the head of the dining room table, he would tell jokes and stories, he never missed the opportunity to attend a school concert or sporting event that his girls participated in, and always told them how beautiful they were and how much he loved them. He forever left a mark on all our hearts and souls. John is survived by his bride of 56 years, Linda (Browne), his favorite daughter, Jacqueline Dunn (and her husband Michael) of Loudonville, his son Matthew Chesbro of Rensselaer, his beloved granddaughters, Kirsten (Beautiful Red Head) Dunn (her fiancé Dominick Belarge), Skyler (Gigi) Dunn of Loudonville, surrogate granddaughter, Maddie Dinardo of Albany, his cousins Kevin Wilson of Schenectady, Barbara Wilson Snitchler (and husband Norman) of Rochester, Christopher Snitchler (and his wife Kristy) of Rochester, Andrea Snitchler Miller (and her husband Jeff) of Maryland, Kathy Vandenbergh (and her husband David) and Yvonne Snider of Nashville, Tennessee, many other cousins and wonderful friends, especially Helen and George Farrell, Laurie Wands, Bills and Arlene Carroll, Dennis Puls, Kay Sheridan, Mary Tobin, and his beloved fur friends Fifty, Annie, Brave, and Sox. His family would like to extend their deepest gratitude and sincere appreciation to the Albany Medical Center Surgical Intensive Care Unit Nurse Elizabeth, Medical Intensive Care Nurse Sarah, and Palliative Care Nurses Patty and Wendy for their time, compassion and care of John during his final days. Due to the pandemic, the family will have a private service at W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home. Interment with full military honors will be held in the spring at the Westerlo Rural Cemetery. He will be laid to rest in the family plot next to his parents Beulah and Clinton John Chesbro, Sr. and his grandparents, Anna and Lewis Chesbro. The family has requested that all contributions may be made in “Memory of Clinton John Chesbro, Jr.” to the Wounded Warrior Project. Those inclined may donate by accessing In Memory of Clinton John Chesbro, Jr. - Fundraising For Wounded Warrior Project Community Fundraising, or mail to Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.