Chester A. Fobare, 87, of 49 James St., Saranac Lake, died Thursday, May 22, 2014, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Churubusco on July 7, 1926, he was the son of Leo and Laura (Ashline) Fobare. Chet married Dorothy Elizabeth Patnode on April 1, 1967, in Lake Worth, Florida.

Chet had been employed as a plumber his entire life in the family business Fobare and Sons Plumbing and Heating in Saranac Lake. He was a 38-year member and past assistant chief of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, charter member of the SLVFD Rescue Squad and past captain and founder of the SLVFD diving team. He was also a certified scuba diving instructor.

Chet was a member of the plumbers and pipefitters Union local 773, charter and 50 year member of the Saranac Lake American Legion Post 447 and VFW Post 3357, past Saranac Lake Village Trustee and past member of the Saranac Lake village planning board. Chet was also a past member of Saranac Lake Rotary Club, served on the Board of Directors for Key Bank, North Country Community College Building and Grounds Committee and was a current member of the Saranac Lake Elks Club BPOE 1508.

Chet served in the United States Navy as a Machinist's Mate Third Class from 1944 to 1946 during World War II. Chet received the American Theater Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, and commendations from 3rd and 5th Fleet.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy Fobare of Saranac Lake; sister Paula Cheney and her husband Jerry of Saranac Lake; three brothers: Linus Fobare and Beverly of Ormond Beach, Florida, Malcalm Fobare and Peppy of Bloomingdale and Ormond Beach, Florida and Milton "Jerry" Fobare of Saranac Lake; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will take place from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. An Elks service will take place at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday. A veteran's prayer service immediately followed by a fireman's prayer service will take place at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday evening. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at noon Wednesday, May 28 at St. Bernard's Church, with the Rev. Mark Reilly officiating. Burial will take place in St. Bernard's Cemetery at a later date.

Friends wishing to remember Chester A. Fobare may make memorial contributions to Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department or St. Bernard's School in care of the funeral home.

Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.