SCARBOROUGH — Chester R. Knowles, Jr., 91 died on July 29, 2012 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House. He was born on June 2, 1921 in Portland, Maine to Chester and Marguerite Libby Knowles. He attended Deering High School and graduated from Hebron Academy. After Hebron Academy, Chester was employed by Casco Bank & Trust Company.

On January 13, 1942, Chester enlisted in the Army Air Force serving in England with the 91st Bomb Group as an aerial gunner. He completed seven missions over Germany and was shot down on his eighth mission and was a prisoner of war for 13 months. After a forced march of 400 miles, Chester was liberated at the Elbe River near Halle, Germany on April 26, 1945. He arrived in the U.S. in May 1945 and was sent to Rutland Heights, Massachusetts Army Hospital for one year before being discharged. Chester was a decorated WW II veteran and POW.

After the war he was employed in regional sales working for both the Boyd Corporation and Longcraft Inc.

In 1949, Chester married his longtime childhood friend, Dorothy DuPont. They built their home in Falmouth where they raised their three children. Together the family enjoyed skiing, boating, camping and trips around New England.

Chester retired in 1987. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed his vegetable garden.

Chester was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and was best known for his sense of humor.

He is survived by his beloved wife Dorothy of 63 years, his daughter Michele and her husband Cliff of Willimantic, CT, a daughter Karen Knowles of Bath, ME, a son Jonathan and his wife Cindy Knowles of Cumberland; grandchildren, Chris and his wife Sarah Lund of Portsmouth, NH, Andrew and his wife Kate Lund of West Hartford, CT, Elise Knowles of Portland, ME, Ben Knowles of Martha’s Vineyard, MA and Ingrid Knowles of Houston, TX, a sister Nancy Moore of Green Valley, AZ and predeceased by his sister Barbara Merrill of Vero Beach, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

A private family ceremony will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chester’s name to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME. 04074 or to the Maine Cancer Foundation, 170 U.S. Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME. 04105. Arrangements are under the care of Jones, Rich & Hutchins 199 Woodford St. Portland, ME 04103.