In memory of Chester Joseph Sala Jr., who on this date, March 8, 2013, died peacefully at home.
Born in Norwalk, Connecticut he came to St. Petersburg, Florida in 1967. He was a jazz drummer for fifty years up to the present. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. He was an Army Combat Engineer and served in Korea for 18 months. He went to Manhattan School of Music in New York City. He performed behind many celebrities and traveled to South East Asia with the Annual USO Show. It consisted of the Bob Hope tour.
Survivors include his lifetime love and mother of his children Mary Irving Sala; son, Leonard Sala; daughter, Mona Sala; son, Chet Sala III all of St Petersburg, Florida; also a son from Beverly Hills, Florida, Christopher Sala; plus nine grandchildren and one deceased grandchild. He also has two brothers Wayne and Donald Sala both of Connecticut and a half-sister Cathy of Arizona; and many nieces and nephews. He loved his family and his grandchildren. His love of music and his drums was his life. He will be sorely missed by all whose lives he forever touched.
Visitation will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 200 78th Avenue NE, St. Petersburg, FL from 11 am to 1 pm on Thursday, March 14th with the mass beginning at 1:00 PM. The Reverend Father John Tapp will be officiating as Celebrant. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 PM, Thursday, March 14, 2013 at Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Petersburg, Florida with Pinellas County Veterans Council, to officiate. A Dove release will conclude the services.
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
Dad you will always be in my heart and soul thank you for being such a wonderful father. I was always so proud to have a father like you. You will always be the coolest father in the world I love you and will see you on the other side.
Your Son,
Chet
Mona,Chet Lenny and family so very sorry for your loss please know that your in my thoughts and Prayers ,Luv Scottie
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Chet and the entire Sala Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Growing up in meadowlawn we had lots of fun. I remember the big smile your Dad always had on his face. I remember him getting on us for climbing the fence.lol.I know you have many more memories. hold them dear to your heart.
May god be with each and everyone of you.Love to your family. Natalie McGee Swain and Family
Dad, my heart is empty with a void that no one will ever fill. May you Rest In Eternal Peace. I know you are not suffering anymore and watching over us. I miss you so much and love you so much. Your Daughter – Mona Marie Sala
Our Family Chain
We little knew that morning
God was going to call your name
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same,
It broke our hearts to lose you,
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide
And though we cannot see you
You’re always by our side
Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again…
Author Unknown
I’ll never forget the wonderful years playing jazz with my buddy Chet. He will be missed in so many ways.
One of the Coolest uncles ever ,will miss you, but will see you again !!Love Tony,Julie,Alyssa,Nick
Uncle Chet we will miss you. I will always remember your smile and face when you played the drums. One great memory I always think of…When I first moved to Florida, you would go Blue crab fishing and I remember eating them at your house.
I know you are with my father and your other family now. Rest in peace Uncle Chet.
With love,
The Cicorias Mae Tony Nichelle Jo-Jo Andy Connie & Family.
Carol and family
Joe Aviles & family
Was a privilege to have known you and be apart of your Family. You will be dearly Missed.
Love Always, Your daughter-in-law, Debbie Sala.
Xoxo
Sala family, I felt my heart break into pieces when I heardabout the loss of your beloved father. He was a great man, who will truly be missed by all. You are in my thoughts and prayers always. Love, Ivy
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time. Wish we could be there with you. He is in a better place now, free of pain.
May God Bless all of you. Love you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Mona and family.
Peace and Love,
Richard
Sincerest sympathy on your loss. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family at this time. Love to all, Marie R and Family
Rest in peace, my dear Uncle Chet, we will miss you. I will always remember years ago when you so patiently taught my Robby to play the drums, he was only about four years old then! We have so many wonderful family memories from over the years. Love you always and we will never, ever forget you.
Dear Mona and Joey,
My love and prayers to you at this difficult time.
I would just like to say we regret your loss. And would like to let you know we are here if you need us. I can just picture his big smile playing them drums with Gabriel.
In Christain Love,
Roger & Fran
Sala family- we are so sorry to hear of the passing of uncle Chet. He was a wonderful man and I’ll never forget the time he spent with me as a kid. The memories will stay with me forever. Love you uncle Chet. Love Rob Bourgeois and family
Daddy you wanted this entire obituary in our local newspaper and I will make sure that a corrected obituary will be placed where you wanted it, picture and all you wrote on that envelope must appear in our newspaper. I love you and miss you so much. Daughter Mona
Chet was a swinging drummer. We traveled together around the state and did the USO tour together. His loss will be felt in the music world. A fun guy and my sympathy to the family.
Chet, Mona and Family, My heart goes out to you all. Chet you are my best friend and when you hurt I hurt, my heart truly hurts. I am so sorry for the loss you are enduring and can’t stand to see you in such pain. Mona, you are such a good girl and are handling everything so good. All the details, and making sure his wishes are honored, your Dad would be so proud. I am sure that he is smiling down on you all. He left behind such a beautiful legacy with both his music and his loving family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless.
Daddy today we lay you to rest. I won’t rest either. I love you and miss you so much. Thank you to all who have taken the time and words to leave your thoughts and prayers for my family and I. God Bless you Daddy. My heart is aching. I will so miss all of our talks and hugs and kisses. Always and forever yours – Your Daughter Mona
To the Sala Family. I was with Chet Today as We saw Him off on His Journey to a new beginning.I remember all the good and fun times We had together playing Music.I know He was a Good Man and a Man that had a lot of Love inside of Him.The Bible Says that “God Is Love” Which He Had,And I know one thing for sure,that He’s Gone Home to be with the Lord.Chet You will be missed by many.Until We Meet Again. I love You Brother.Your Friend In Christ. Tony King
One year ago today
You sadly went away
Your body is gone
Though your heart is still here
Within my heart
Every day you stay there
Forever you will stay
And never depart
I miss you so much
With all my heart
Dad you were the very best!
Love Daughter Mona
38.14