CHESTER FORREST "CHET" LADD, 81, of Vernon, VT and formerly Groveton, NH died July 3, 2012 at the Buckley Healthcare Center in Greenfield, Mass after a lengthy illness with his family by his side. Born October 9, 1930 in Corinna, Maine a son of Chester Forrest Ladd, Sr. and Sybil (Aiken) Ladd he was a 1948 graduate from Arms Academy in Shelburne, MA. Chet was a 20 year veteran of the US Army serving during the Korean Conflict and then from 1974 thru 1991 in Army National Guard retiring with a rank of SSG. He was a longtime member of the Groveton American Legion and the Groveton VFW. Chet was the VFW Post commander for many years and was the reason there is still a post in Groveton do to all his hard work. He along with Bill Paradis was one of the founding fathers of the Groveton Community Christmas. He retired from Wausau Papers as a machinist in 1991 after 20 years of employment there. Before moving to the North Country in 1966 he worked for Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut then after moving North he worked for Thompson Manufacture in Lancaster before going to work at Wausau. Chet was a huge Groveton Eagles sports fan and attended every game, home or away. He used to enjoy bowling; gardening and spending time in Rangeley, Maine every summer. Chet is survived by his children Peter Ladd of Heath, MA; Dana Ladd and wife Margaret of Bridge Water, MA; Timothy Ladd and wife Kate of Rally, NC; Robert Ladd of Moultonboro, NH; Miriam Ladd of Vernon, VT; Carl Ladd and wife Michele of Groveton, NH and Rachel Ladd and her significant other Keith Benoit of Naples, FL; thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents; his wife of 33years Judith (Muller) Ladd; one grandson Michael McLeod and his sister Mary Smith. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2012 from 12 noon to 2:00 pm at the Armstrong-Charron Funeral Home in Groveton. Funeral service will follow at 2pm at the funeral home with Fr. Daniel Deveau, pastor of the St. Marguerite d'Youville Parish. Inurnment will be in the Northumberland Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made in Chet's memory to either Riverside Rescue, Inc.; 236 Riverside Avenue; Lunenburg, VT 05906, Norris Cotton Cancer Center; One Medical Center Drive; Lebanon, NH 03766 or the Groveton High School Athletic Department; 65 State Street; Groveton, NH 03582.