Mr. Chester J. Smolen, 86, of Bartlett Street, Amsterdam, New York passed away Sunday, September 16, 2012 at the Wilkinson Skilled Nursing Facility in Amsterdam, New York.

He was born April 21, 1926 in Amsterdam, New York a son of the late Albert and Helen Koziol Smolen. He was a graduate of the former Wilbur H. Lynch High School - Class of 1944 and was a lifelong resident.

During World War II, Mr. Smolen served in the Army in Europe with the rank of Sergeant.He saw combat during the Battle of the Bulge and also in Czechoslovakia. Later, he was a guard at the Nuremburg Trials in Nuremburg, Germany.

He was employed by Mohasco Industries in Amsterdam for several years. Later, he was employed as a Programmer at Saratoga BOCES before retiring.

Chet was a longtime member of the Church of St. John the Baptist. Later, he was a member of St. Stanislaus Church. He was also a member of the St. Michael the Archangel Society and the Polish-American Veterans. He enjoyed golf and bowling and excelled at baseball in his youth.

He was married to the former Joan L. Opalka on September 17, 1961. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son James Smolen (Cheryl), River Vale, New Jersey; two grandsons Jack and Michael Smolen, River Vale, New Jersey and several cousins.

The funeral will be held at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at the Jendrzejczak Funeral Home 200 Church Street, Amsterdam, New York followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Stanislaus Church at 9:00 a.m. with Rev. O. Robert DeMartinis, Celebrant. Interment with military honors will follow at St. John's Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 - 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stanislaus Church or to the American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home.

Please submit on-line condolences at www.jendrzejczakfuneral.com.