Chester William Rykowski – or Chet as he was known to his family and friends – passed away at the age of 81 on Thursday.

While family and friends will remember the Korean War vet this Memorial Day weekend, services will commence Tuesday at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

The funeral will be held at St. Hyacinth, 319 Cedar Swamp Road in Glen Head on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

Residents remember Rykowski as an active member in the community where he grew up.

“Chet was such a special man and made a real special impression on those he met; and that includes him not only being a Korean War vet, but also a volunteer at Glen Cove Hospital, working at Charlie’s, working the voting booths on elections, and just being a staple in the Glen Cove community as he grew up in the 'Landing' on Locust Street,” said Rykowski’s son-in-law, Mitch Schlimer.

Rykowski is survived by his wife Doris, his daughter Sandra Schlimer, his brother Walter, his grandson Corey Land and Land's step sister Victoria Schlimer. He is also survived by his aunt Sophie Luzynski of Glen Cove, his uncles Frank and Charles Gabrus and nieces and nephews. 

Rykowski and his wife Doris have lived with their daughter Sandra and her husband Mitch for the past 16 years.

Schlimer said that Rykowski – who owned Your Private Butcher in Sea Cliff – was a well-known businessman in the community. 

“When parents came in with their kids, Chet would always give the kids free bologna slices. Today, these kids are now adults, and many with their own families, and when they did see Chet, they never forgot him especially for the free bolonga he gave,” Schilmer said. “Chet was a man of real substance; very kind and compassionate and a wonderful sense of humor as demonstrated by his very unique business cards he would give people when they met him.”

Rykowski played the drums in the Army, including at the Kentucky Derby, Schlimer said. He also loved gardening, fishing, photography, cooking and making complex puzzles that could take him a month or more to complete. 

Editor's Note: Mitch Schlimer is a Patch contributor.