Attorney Charles F. "Chuck" Kezer, 85 of Stratham, NH, formerly of Melrose, died Sunday May 8, 2005 at the Exeter Hospital in Exeter, NH. Mr. Kezer was born December 1, 1919 in Boston, MA, son of the late Charles E. Kezer and Ellen M. (Kerr) Kezer. He was raised in Malden MA, and was a 1939 graduate of Malden High School. In 1942, he married his High School sweet heart, Margaret R. Peggy Turner, and shortly thereafter entered the United States Army. Serving as an infantryman in the 83d Division, he participated in the Normandy invasion, and the campaign across France, receiving multiple decorations including the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.On December 7, 1944, he was severely wounded in the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest. Following convalescence in England, he served occupation duty in Nuremburg, Germany during the trials. He separated from service in 1946, having received a field commission to the rank of Lieutenant. Upon returning to the United States, Mr. Kezer graduated from Northeastern University in 1948, and Northeastern School of Law in 1950. Thereafter, he was the founder of the law firm of Kezer & Kezer, in Malden, MA, and he was a member, director, and Past President of the First District Middlesex Bar Association.During his years of practice, Mr. Kezer was noted for his expertise in business, finance, and real estate law. Mr. Kezer was trustee and clerk of The Bank for Savings, in Malden, MA.He also served as trustee of Melrose Wakefield Hospital, and as trustee and clerk of Malden Hospital in Malden, MA.Mr. Kezer served for over thirty years as a Trustee of The Fitch Home, of Melrose, MA, as Trustee of The Malden Home for Aged, and as Trustee of the Davenport Memorial Home, in Malden, MA.Mr. Kezer also served for many years as a Trustee of Pine Banks Park, in Malden and Melrose, and as a member and director of the Malden Rotary Club. Chuck shared 62 years of marriage with his wife, Margaret (Turner) Kezer. He was the father of C. Henry Kezer and his wife, Susan Peters Kezer of Melrose and Margaret "Meg" Kezer Church and her husband Norbert Church of Branford, CT. Chuck was the brother of the late J. Robert Keyser and Barry L. Keyser.Brother-in-law of Lorraine S. Keyser of Ossipee, NH.Grandfather of Russell P. Kezer and Eleanor P. Kezer, both of Melrose and Spencer N. Church and Hunter J. Church, both of Branford, CT. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral Service at the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, 355 Franklin St., Melrose Thursday, May 12 at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., MELROSE Wednesday 4-8 PM. Interment will be in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose, MA. Gifts in his memory may be made to the Davenport Home, 70 Salem St., Malden, MA 02148 or to the Fitch Home, 75 Lake Ave., Melrose, MA 02176.
