On the grounds of an Ann Arbor cemetery sits a bronze sculpture of an angel supporting a slumping soldier whose helmet has fallen to the ground. Lingering between life and death, the soldier valiantly attempts to cling to the strap of his helmet with one finger extended.
Dangling from his neck are a set of dog tags that bear the name and serial number of Edward Chesney, an ex-Marine and creator of the sculpture. At 700 pounds, the memorial serves as a tribute to veterans everywhere and says more about war than the quiet patriot ever cared to.
Unveiled nearly a decade ago and titled "The Price of Freedom," the monument is one of many expressive artworks by the World War II veteran that are displayed in the region and state.
Mr. Chesney died of heart failure Tuesday at St. John Hospital in Detroit. He was 85.
"Though he was extremely proud of his time in the service, he rarely talked about his experiences during the war," said his wife of 61 years, Violet Chesney. "He preferred to let his artwork do the talking, and it usually spoke volumes."
A lifelong Detroiter, Mr. Chesney was the youngest of three boys born to Polish immigrants and grew up on the city's east side. After graduating from Catholic Central High School in 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps because he regarded it as the cream of the crop. He served in a tank battalion in the Pacific Theater and fought at Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima and was promoted to corporal.
Following the war, Mr. Chesney returned to Detroit and held jobs as a carpenter and wood-carver before becoming interested in sculpturing. After spending some time in Florence, Italy, studying art, he returned home and enrolled in classes at a local art school.
Working from the same Eastpointe storefront that served as his studio for the past 39 years, some of the more notable artworks he designed include the physicians memorial at St. John's, the Firemen's Memorial in Roscommon and the statue of Msgr. Clement Kern -- who was pastor at Corktown's Most Holy Trinity Church -- near the corner of Trumbull and Bagley in Detroit.
In addition to his wife, Violet, survivors include two sons, Dean and Terry; seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
The Detroit Free Press, 4-17-2008
Note last name originally spelled: Szczesny
Dangling from his neck are a set of dog tags that bear the name and serial number of Edward Chesney, an ex-Marine and creator of the sculpture. At 700 pounds, the memorial serves as a tribute to veterans everywhere and says more about war than the quiet patriot ever cared to.
Unveiled nearly a decade ago and titled "The Price of Freedom," the monument is one of many expressive artworks by the World War II veteran that are displayed in the region and state.
Mr. Chesney died of heart failure Tuesday at St. John Hospital in Detroit. He was 85.
"Though he was extremely proud of his time in the service, he rarely talked about his experiences during the war," said his wife of 61 years, Violet Chesney. "He preferred to let his artwork do the talking, and it usually spoke volumes."
A lifelong Detroiter, Mr. Chesney was the youngest of three boys born to Polish immigrants and grew up on the city's east side. After graduating from Catholic Central High School in 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps because he regarded it as the cream of the crop. He served in a tank battalion in the Pacific Theater and fought at Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima and was promoted to corporal.
Following the war, Mr. Chesney returned to Detroit and held jobs as a carpenter and wood-carver before becoming interested in sculpturing. After spending some time in Florence, Italy, studying art, he returned home and enrolled in classes at a local art school.
Working from the same Eastpointe storefront that served as his studio for the past 39 years, some of the more notable artworks he designed include the physicians memorial at St. John's, the Firemen's Memorial in Roscommon and the statue of Msgr. Clement Kern -- who was pastor at Corktown's Most Holy Trinity Church -- near the corner of Trumbull and Bagley in Detroit.
In addition to his wife, Violet, survivors include two sons, Dean and Terry; seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
The Detroit Free Press, 4-17-2008
Note last name originally spelled: Szczesny
On the grounds of an Ann Arbor cemetery sits a bronze sculpture of an angel supporting a slumping soldier whose helmet has fallen to the ground. Lingering between life and death, the soldier valiantly attempts to cling to the strap of his helmet with one finger extended.
Dangling from his neck are a set of dog tags that bear the name and serial number of Edward Chesney, an ex-Marine and creator of the sculpture. At 700 pounds, the memorial serves as a tribute to veterans everywhere and says more about war than the quiet patriot ever cared to.
Unveiled nearly a decade ago and titled "The Price of Freedom," the monument is one of many expressive artworks by the World War II veteran that are displayed in the region and state.
Mr. Chesney died of heart failure Tuesday at St. John Hospital in Detroit. He was 85.
"Though he was extremely proud of his time in the service, he rarely talked about his experiences during the war," said his wife of 61 years, Violet Chesney. "He preferred to let his artwork do the talking, and it usually spoke volumes."
A lifelong Detroiter, Mr. Chesney was the youngest of three boys born to Polish immigrants and grew up on the city's east side. After graduating from Catholic Central High School in 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps because he regarded it as the cream of the crop. He served in a tank battalion in the Pacific Theater and fought at Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima and was promoted to corporal.
Following the war, Mr. Chesney returned to Detroit and held jobs as a carpenter and wood-carver before becoming interested in sculpturing. After spending some time in Florence, Italy, studying art, he returned home and enrolled in classes at a local art school.
Working from the same Eastpointe storefront that served as his studio for the past 39 years, some of the more notable artworks he designed include the physicians memorial at St. John's, the Firemen's Memorial in Roscommon and the statue of Msgr. Clement Kern -- who was pastor at Corktown's Most Holy Trinity Church -- near the corner of Trumbull and Bagley in Detroit.
In addition to his wife, Violet, survivors include two sons, Dean and Terry; seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
The Detroit Free Press, 4-17-2008
Note last name originally spelled: Szczesny
Dangling from his neck are a set of dog tags that bear the name and serial number of Edward Chesney, an ex-Marine and creator of the sculpture. At 700 pounds, the memorial serves as a tribute to veterans everywhere and says more about war than the quiet patriot ever cared to.
Unveiled nearly a decade ago and titled "The Price of Freedom," the monument is one of many expressive artworks by the World War II veteran that are displayed in the region and state.
Mr. Chesney died of heart failure Tuesday at St. John Hospital in Detroit. He was 85.
"Though he was extremely proud of his time in the service, he rarely talked about his experiences during the war," said his wife of 61 years, Violet Chesney. "He preferred to let his artwork do the talking, and it usually spoke volumes."
A lifelong Detroiter, Mr. Chesney was the youngest of three boys born to Polish immigrants and grew up on the city's east side. After graduating from Catholic Central High School in 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps because he regarded it as the cream of the crop. He served in a tank battalion in the Pacific Theater and fought at Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima and was promoted to corporal.
Following the war, Mr. Chesney returned to Detroit and held jobs as a carpenter and wood-carver before becoming interested in sculpturing. After spending some time in Florence, Italy, studying art, he returned home and enrolled in classes at a local art school.
Working from the same Eastpointe storefront that served as his studio for the past 39 years, some of the more notable artworks he designed include the physicians memorial at St. John's, the Firemen's Memorial in Roscommon and the statue of Msgr. Clement Kern -- who was pastor at Corktown's Most Holy Trinity Church -- near the corner of Trumbull and Bagley in Detroit.
In addition to his wife, Violet, survivors include two sons, Dean and Terry; seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
The Detroit Free Press, 4-17-2008
Note last name originally spelled: Szczesny
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