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Chester S. Bandych

Published on September 22, 2026

Chester Bandych Mills FH

BOONVILLE- Chester S. “Chet” Bandych, 86, passed away on Monday morning, September 21, 2026, at Lewis County General Hospital.

He was born on May 15, 1940, in Utica, New York, the oldest child of the late Chester and Florence Organisciak Bandych. Chet spent the first 13 years of his life on Doris Road in New Hartford before the family moved in 1953 onto the Bandych Farm on Route 12 in Boonville. He graduated from Boonville High School in 1958 and later joined the United States Army, serving until his honorable discharge in 1965. Chet married Sharon Smith and the couple had two daughters before separating. He worked at the Lyons Falls Pulp and Paper Mill and Revere Copper and Brass in Rome. He was best known locally for his years as a bus driver for the Adirondack Central School District.

Chet was an avid bowler, golfer, and poker player and enjoyed watching his New York Jets football and New York Mets baseball.

Chet was a lifetime member of the Boonville Elks Lodge #2158.

He is survived by two daughters, Jill (Keith) McConnell and Anne (Dana) Charbonneau; four grandchildren, Erika (Anthony) Ventura, Alexis (Justin) Hartmann, Shane McConnell, and Cali McConnell; two great-grandchildren; five siblings, Chris Hill, Loretta Kaye, Thomas (Sarah) Bandych, William “Bill” (Carol) Bandych, and Linda Bandych; and many nieces and nephews.

Chet was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Ronnie Bandych, in 1975.

In keeping with Chet’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewis County General Hospital Foundation, ATTN: Activities Department, 7785 N. State Street, Lowville, NY 13367, or to the Lewis County Humane Society, P.O. Box 682, Lowville, NY 13367. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mills Funeral Home of Boonville.

Chet’s family would like to extend an extra-special thank you to the staff on Two-East and to Sara at the Lewis County Residential Healthcare Facility Activities Department, a very special lady with a big heart on the fourth floor.

Online messages of sympathy may be made at www.millsfuneralhomes.com.