Dr. Chesley has been honoured for his efforts at raising awareness of, research into and the early detection of prostate cancer with the establishment of a 1 million dollar endowment fund.
He was also notable for his many inventions. They included a special needle guide for prostatic biopsies when there was no ultrasound available and even used his own money to buy a transrectal ultrasound machine for St. Joseph's Hospital. It was Dr. Chesley who started a prostate cancer support group in the city.
The American Cancer Society honoured him in 1996 with its National Prostate Cancer Detection Programme Award and he received the Order of Merit from the New Brunswick Medical Society in 1995.
A private funeral service is planned.
