Chester William Connor III

Loving Husband, Father, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather and Military Veteran

October 14, 1951 – February 5, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Chester “Chet” William Connor III, who left us on February 5, 2025, at Baptist Health Bethesda East Hospital in Boynton Beach, Florida, at the age of 73. Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, on October 14, 1951, Chet was the son of Chester William Connor, Jr. and Carolyn Ann Beal.

Chet served in the United States Air Force with distinction from 1971 to 1993, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant (MSgt, E-7). His career in the Air Force spanned over two decades, where he served in law enforcement and security forces roles as part of the Security Police (SP) and later as a First Sergeant for the 45th Security Police Squadron. Chet and his family had several PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders stateside, as well as in the Philippines and Germany; he also completed a remote assignment to Daegu, Korea in the 1980s.

His leadership and dedication to his troops were unwavering—whether as a flight sergeant, molding the careers of young airmen, or as a First Sergeant providing guidance and support to his team, Chet's commitment to excellence made him a trusted mentor and a beloved figure in the lives of many.

After retiring from the Air Force at Patrick Air Force Base, Chet continued to serve the military community in a different capacity. He worked for defense contractors, including at the United States Navy’s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC), where he conducted physical security operations at strategic military posts. He retired from AUTEC in 2020, having achieved the rank of Captain.

Chet was a man whose laughter was contagious and whose sense of humor brightened any room he entered. With a quick wit and a playful spirit, he had an uncanny ability to find humor in every situation, bringing joy and laughter to all who knew him. His jokes, stories, and infectious laugh will be dearly missed, but his legacy of lightheartedness and joy will live on in the hearts of his friends and family forever.

In his personal life, Chet was a loving and dedicated husband to his wife, DeAnna Connor, and a proud father to sons Michael and Matthew Connor. He cherished his role as a father-in-law to Mary Ann Connor and grandfather to his grandchildren, Matthew, Julia, Emalee, CJ, and Abigail. He is also survived by his brother Brian Connor, his stepdaughter Danielle Kirk and son-in-law Corey Kirk, his ex-wife Debra Connor, as well as his nieces Breanne “Bre” Weller (Connor), Kimberly Connor, Kristen Sullivan (Bales) and Lauren Bales.

Chet will be remembered for his unwavering integrity, his kindness, and his selfless devotion to his family, his country, and his colleagues. His legacy of leadership, loyalty, and love will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him.

A military honors service will be held, and Chet will be interred at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 U.S. Highway 1, North Mims, Florida.