Chester Prescott Durning III

Chester Prescott Durning III

“Chet The Vet “

May 8, 1955 -- July 24, 2023

Chester Prescott Durning III, a longtime resident of Nashua, died peacefully on Monday, July 24, 2023 at Parkview Medical Center, Inc in Pueblo, Colorado surrounded by his loving family. He is the beloved husband of Jeannine Marie Durning (also USAF Veteran) with whom he shared 44 years of marriage.

Chester was born in New Mexico on May, 8, 1955 and was the son of the late Chester Prescott Durning Jr. (April 1, 1934-August 17, 2001) and the late Bessie Virginia (Quintana) Durning (November 14, 1936- June 17, 1960).

For 18 years, he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force at Loring AFB, Maine, Shemya ABF, Alaska, Pease AFB, NH, Whiteman AFB, Missouri as well as many short tours overseas. He was a Civil Engineer, and his specialty was water purification and sewage plant operations.

He also worked 18 years for UPS in Chelmsford, Mass as a Master Unloader and 11 years at Boston Globe Newspaper in Billerica, Mass in Maintenance.

Some of Chester’s favorite things were telling “war stories” with friends at the VA in Manchester, NH and passing out candy to staff and people he would meet there. He loved doing yard work; he would rake for hours on end and was always snow blowing any path, sidewalk, or driveway and made pathways for the dogs. He also loved BBQing on the grill and feeding the birds and squirrels. Above all, his most cherished time was spent with his family, friends, and lending a hand to any neighbors.

In addition to his wife, Jeannine, he is survived by his four daughters and four grandchildren, Shauna Marie Durning and Deepak Amatya and their daughter Sahara Amatya; Shannon Lee Durning and her fiancé Kevin Diiorio and their 3 children Kevin Jr, Viviana and Luciana; Shera Lynn and Anthony Divito (USMC Veteran); and Sheena May Durning and her fiancé Matthew Steagald. He is also survived by his younger brother Andrew M. Durning (USAF Veteran) and his wife Mary Gale Durning; his nephew Travis Durning and wife Brittany of Chester, NH; his niece Stephanie and David Galt and their daughter Savannah; as well as his sister Jeanne Sanders of Georgia and her six children, Michelle, Sasha, Cynthia, Nicole, Amy and David; as well as his large extended family in Colorado. 

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his younger brother Bryan J. Durning (November 8, 1959- January 21, 2004) and his stepmother Louis T. (Kopka) Durning (September 11, 1933- May 23, 2003).

Relatives and friends are invited to Chester’s visitation on TUESDAY, August 8th from 4 until 7 PM at ROCHETTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 21 Kinsley Street, Nashua. His Funeral Service will be held in the Funeral Home on WEDNESDAY, August 9th with visitation from 10 until 11 AM and his Service to take place at 11 AM. Interment and presentation of military honors will follow in Edgewood Cemetery, Nashua.

All friends and family are welcome to virtually attend Chester’s Funeral Service via Zoom on Wednesday, August 9th at 11 AM. Please visit www.zoom.com or download the app to your mobile device or Ipad. Meeting ID: 462 921 4672 Password: Durning

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