Funeral Services for Chester MacDonald, Piropos Grille Co-Owner

Seems like another day, another obituary on the Luminary site. Many know Chester as the "cut-to-the-chase" co-owner of Piropos Grille in Parkville. A good friend to The Luminary, he will be missed. Our sympathies to his wife, Sheila. What follows is his official obituary:

Chester Stanley MacDonald, a resident of Weatherby Lake, MO, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City.


Chester was born to Matilda and Harold MacDonald in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. He then moved to Summerside, PEI and eventually resided in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada.

Chester received a Bachelor of Law degree and subsequently a Master of Law degree in Arbitration, both from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. He practiced law and early in his legal career he was appointed as a Judge in Canada. He was President of the Canadian Judges Association and elected a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Judges by the Board of Regents.

He was active in the Rotary Club in Sackville, New Brunswick and was president for two years. He was a Paul Harris fellow. He chaired the committee that organized the celebration for the 60 anniversary of the Club. In everything he did he embodied the Rotary principle of “service above self”. He was also the District Governor of the Kinsmen Club.

After he retired as a Judge he was the Director of Planned giving with Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. He also chaired a committee to raise funds for a new hospital in the Sackville community.

Chester was a loyal member of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and served on the Board of Trustees. He participated in the fundraising and building of the Summerside Presbyterian Church and subsequently assisted in the fundraising and completion of the building expansion of the Sackville Presbyterian Church and the fundraising for a new pipe organ. By word and example he urged upon the congregation the importance of Christian stewardship. He also enjoyed being a member of the Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church in Kansas City.

In recent years Chester was a property owner and co-owner of Piropos in Parkville which became his new passion. He enjoyed time with guests, making everyone feel special giving many “piropos” (compliments) to the many wonderful people that touched his life.

Chester was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Scott and first wife, Elaine. He is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Sheila; four children and their spouses, Marilyn (Glen), Norman (Linda), Sandy, and Margot (James); seven grandchildren, Meagan, Kate, Adam, David, Beth, Ellen and Melissa; and two sisters, Marion and Gail.

The Memorial Service celebrating Chester’s life will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church, 7600 NW Barry Rd. Kansas City, MO, with Rev. Jim Gordon officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m., Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcomed to the Weatherby Lake Entrance Fund and the American Cancer Society.