Obituary of Joseph Mathew Hester

Joseph Mathew Hester, 91, of Cheshire, entered into rest on July 18, 2015. He was the devoted husband of the late Mattie Lee (Wilson) Hester for over 30 years. Joseph was born on December 25, 1923 in Wilson, NC. He was the son of the late Joseph and Josephine (Jones) Hester, and was a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before coming to Cheshire. Affectionately known as “Papa Joe” by his grandchildren, being a grandfather was Joe’s focus in life, during his final years. Joe was the founder and owner of Hester Hauling Co. in Pittsburgh for over 50 years, which he and his wife Mattie operated. While in Pittsburgh, Joe was a member of the Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church. After coming to Cheshire to live with his daughter, he became a part of the First Congregational Church of Cheshire family. He is the beloved father of Kimberly Hester-Tabor and her husband Ric Tabor of Cheshire; and Darryl Hopkins of Pittsburgh, PA; loving grandfather of Mattie Mae Tabor and Heather Hopkins; great grandfather of Dakota Thompson. Joe is also survived by his brother, Erman Hester of Plainfield, NJ; his sister, Bettie Jean Hester of Bedminster, NJ; sister-in-law, Marion Johnson of Pittsburgh, PA, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Joe’s funeral procession will leave the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 So. Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410 on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 12:30PM for a funeral service at 1PM at the First Congregational Church of Cheshire, 111 Church Drive, Cheshire. Interment will follow in Cheshire Hillside Cemetery. Friends may greet his family at the funeral home on Friday, July 24, 2015 from 5PM to 8PM.