Chester Stanley Smerdzinski, Jr.
July 30, 1953 ~ August 16, 2017
Chester “Chuck” Smerdzinski, a loving son, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, coach, teacher and friend passed away on August 16th, 2017. Chuck grew up in Vienna, Virginia. He enjoyed a wide variety of sports, including football, baseball, and basketball. Upon graduation from George C. Marshall High School, Chuck attended and played football at Virginia Tech, and then transitioned to earn a B.S. in business from George Mason University. He later received his teaching degree. He touched so many lives in so many ways from coaching little league sports to teaching students at the Burke School (among several other Fairfax County public schools for over 15 years) to spending time with his family. He will be remembered for his sense of humor that was unparalleled, and a knack for story-telling that kept the entire room hanging on every word. His enthusiasm, energy, determination, and passion for life was evident every day in so many ways and he put smiles on the faces of everyone he encountered. We celebrate a man who lived life to the fullest, loved to the greatest degree and made those around him better in every way. He was a hero to his sons and also his granddaughters, who loved their “Papa” dearly. We will smile when we think of him, laugh when we remember him, and understand that while he may be gone, he is never forgotten.
Loving father of Zachary, Chase and Drew; devoted son of Dolores and the late Chester S. Smerdzinski, Sr.; cherished Papa of Madison and Kennedy; brother of Gary (Karen), Sandy (Frank) Islin, David (Shannon), Cynthia (Eric) Parvin. He is also survived by the mother of his children and companion, Kathy Woodward, daughter-in-law, Joanie Smerdzinski and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd, Vienna VA on Tuesday, August 22 at 11 AM. Special remembrances will be shared with the family in the reception hall at St. Mark Catholic Church following the Mass. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to autismspeaks.org
Loving father of Zachary, Chase and Drew; devoted son of Dolores and the late Chester S. Smerdzinski, Sr.; cherished Papa of Madison and Kennedy; brother of Gary (Karen), Sandy (Frank) Islin, David (Shannon), Cynthia (Eric) Parvin. He is also survived by the mother of his children and companion, Kathy Woodward, daughter-in-law, Joanie Smerdzinski and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd, Vienna VA on Tuesday, August 22 at 11 AM. Special remembrances will be shared with the family in the reception hall at St. Mark Catholic Church following the Mass. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to autismspeaks.org
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I write this with great, great sadness with the loss of my dear friend of 48 years now, Chester Smerdzinski, “CHUCK”. Chuck fought a brave and strong battle but the cancer would not allow him to get well.
I was 16 years old in 1969 and I had just moved to Virginia from Pennsylvania and sitting by myself in Marshall High School’s cafeteria. Chuck walked over, set his lunch tray down by mine, introduced himself and said,”you must be new here”. We quickly became friends that became lifelong friends. I am honored to be Chuck’s very dear friend and have so many cherished memories with my best friend.
In life I loved you dearly.
In death I love you still.
In my heart you hold a place
No one else will ever fill.
My friend has received his crown in heaven
I will see you again and we will play any sport we choose and with young legs again.
“Life Ends……….Eternity Does Not”
Love You and Miss You,
Your Friend Tom
Gary being my brother in law I loved sharing family memories with Chuck it was always special . Wedding, christianing , graduation , we always looked forward to seeing each other and sharing the occasion . I have two favorite memories. Unexpectedly , at a state little tournament. We lost at 5 seed and Vienna advanced. Chuck said they were in a pitching delemia and coach said any volunteer pitcher would work. We traded pins and it was fun , as always with Chuck. I think they lost that game but I
knew them that Chuck supported his boys , all in. At Steph graduation we shared our passion about special education students. His understanding and passion about their needs touched my heart. I know he helped and touched many children through his teaching. Helping them find themselves .
God bless those who love children. I know God blessed Chuck .
Remembering Christmas eves at the Smerdzinski house in Vienna. Chinese food, cousins gathering, the take away game and memories. Chuck was the life of the party and would put cash into several packages unknown to the cousins as an extra surprise. Remembering how good he was to Clara or Meemaw as we called Kathy’s mother. She and he are for sure having a great time in heaven.Chuck and his family would do cookouts at the pool at our house and he would try to outeat Zach on burgers and dogs.Zach would win. And finally, there are pictures of Chuck playing with Christmas toys meant for our son. Many memories of good times. Chuck will be missed but never forgotten. Until we meet again.
I am heart broken over the loss of Chuck Smerdzinski. He was a brother-in-law (my sister, Kathy) whom I had known for nearly 50 years. He was very kind and helpful to my Mother, who became disabled before meeting Chuck., and she dearly loved him. Chuck was a wonderful father to 3 sons, and a loving Papa to his granddaughters, Maddy and Kennedy. He taught “special needs students” for Fairfax County Schools, a career which he embraced. He often entertained us all with his sharp wit, which kept us laughing., so it was fun to be around him. RIP dear, dear Chuck.
How lucky was I to have a brother like Chuck. A man that always made time for me and made me feel so significant. A man that was sensitive, concerned and loving. He made us laugh with his spontaneity and stories. He loved his family, his teaching job and sports. He always had a special spot on the bleachers for all my kid’s events…he even cheered for cheerleaders, rallied for the wrestler, fan for the field hockey and rooted for the bballer. I loved having older brothers and felt protected by their strength and stature. There was teasing and pranks but that’s what you would expect from a brother! When Chuck was on a roll…he was on a roll. He could dance a polka, sing Polish songs and take over the world in a great game of Risk! I will miss him dearly but will cherish my memories with him on Bucknell Drive, Outback Steakhouse and coffee at Amphora. Chuck, you will always have a spot on the bleachers with me.
So many of my favorite childhood memories involve Uncle Chuck. Holidays and random cousin visits in Vienna & Centreville were spent filled with laughter. Such a great Uncle, Brother, Dad, Papa, and all the other roles he played during his full life here on earth! I’m sure going to miss him- Love you Uncle Chuck
I will miss my brother-in-law, Chuck. Our families spent much time together when our sons were young, including summer vacations at Ocean City and Outer Banks, NC. And to spend Fourth of July with Chuck was an unforgettable experience!
I want to acknowledge the loving care and support that my sister, Kathy, gave to Chuck throughout his struggle with cancer. They shared a strong bond.
Sue Woodward
Chuck was part of our Ferris Family. We recently celebrated our 12th Anniversary together. We sat around the Ferris kitchen table and shared stories about when we first met and all the experiences Chuck and our family shared together. When we first met Chuck our son Luke was 8 and our girls; Julia; Sammie and Skye were 7, 6 and 3. They are now 20, 19, 18 and 15. Chuck was hired to be a tutor for our autistic son Luke. He came to our house twice a week for over 12 years. He stopped being a tutor a long time ago and just became another member of our family. He would come to events that the kids were involved in. He came to the kids First Communion and Confirmation. All of a sudden we would look up at a field hockey game or a softball game or one of Luke’s Special Olympics events and there was Chuck in the stands.
He was hired as a tutor for Luke but ended up being a tutor and friend to all the girls as well. He learned the personalities of the girls and figured out how to get the most out of each of them. He helped Luke grow in ways we never expected. He would make Luke laugh so hard. There was as much laughing as learning. Sometimes I would hear him laughing and would be so grateful that there was someone who could make my son just be a regular silly boy. He watched Julia grow up and leave home last year to attend the Coast Guard Academy. He watched Sammie get accepted to Mary Washington to play field hockey and study special ed. He watched our baby Skye grow up to be taller than all her siblings . He had an amazing way with Luke. They would laugh and talk but always be working hard learning. He was all about the learning. He taught Luke not only better reading comprehension skills, but he taught him patience and focus and resilience.
Chuck was part of our Ferris Family Village. We relied on him. We counted on him and we missed him when the summer months came and he took his “vacation” from our family. As the school days got closer Luke would start texting him about when he was coming back and how his car was doing. He would tell Luke about his boys and the girls would ask him to tell them stories about Zack and Chase and Drew. With Chuck’s passing our Ferris Family has also lost a member of our family and our son Luke has lost one of his biggest advocates and a friend. We have a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled. Chuck’s coming and goings from our house; his funny comments about the mess and the chaos; his participation in activities the kids were involved in…. our shared experiences over the past 12 years cannot be forgotten. He was loved and is missed. We will forever remember him.
Lena, John, Luke, Julia, Samantha and Skye Ferris.
Chuck: Thank you for all that you have done for me and my family. Thanks for the car rides after school where we would try to “beat the light” and letting Luke shift gears. Thanks for coming to my softball games and helping me survive the seventh grade. Thanks for always asking how I was doing and joking with me about my imaginary boyfriend “Jose”. Thanks for always joking around with Luke about your car (usually being busted), Google Maps, and not wanting a black “X” or to go to soccer practice. Thanks for sharing the Polish myth where all the white specks on my fingernails represent all my “admirers” and the stories about your normal job school kids. Those were always entertaining. I’m sorry we never had a picture together or became Facebook friends. I hope your granddaughters still love Frozen.
Chuck: Thank you for all that you have done for me and my family. Thanks for the car rides after school where we would try to “beat the light” and letting Luke shift gears. Thanks for coming to my softball games and helping me survive the seventh grade. Thanks for always asking how I was doing and joking with me about my imaginary boyfriend “Jose”. Thanks for always joking around with Luke about your car (usually being busted), Google Maps, and not wanting a black “X” or to go to soccer practice. Thanks for sharing the Polish myth where all the white specks on my fingernails represent all my “admirers” and the stories about your normal job school kids. Those were always entertaining. I’m sorry we never had a picture together or became Facebook friends. I hope your granddaughters still love Frozen.
I lived down the street from Chuck in Dunn Loring–We had some fun with his brother, Gary, but good things come to an end. I looked at his photo and saw a man who was into whatever kids our age did, but he was a good and funny.
You’ll be missed
Mark Casey
I knew Chuck from high school and he married my treasured life long friend Kathy. Together they raised three beautiful sons. Kathy and his sons were there for him throughout his illness at a time when he needed them the most. Chuck had amazing energy, wit, and charm. He cared deeply about the people in his life and will be greatly missed. Prayers of comfort for his family. Janice Olsen
Just heard of Chuck’s passing as I live abroad. I know Chuck from high school. He was a gifted athlete who had everything but the size to succeed at the next level; and even then, he “walked on” to Va Tech football (although baseball was his passion). My brightest memory was him making me laugh until my stomach hurt and I had to run from the room. On another occasion, Chuck bet his father that he couldn’t drive through Vienna (on Maple Avenue) without hitting a red light. Chester did it by making strategic turns, with Chuck commenting the entire time and Tom Maley and me in the backseat roaring with laughter. I joined the Navy and got “out of Dodge” but I remember those days fondly. RIP Chuck! Charley Hart