Normand J. CHAPDELAINE

CHICOPEE - Normand J. "Pépère" Chapdelaine, 84, of Chicopee was Called Safely Home on Thursday, June 2, 2005. He retired in 1984 as the Supervisor of Preventative Maintenance at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. He previously worked for 25 years at the former General Electric Company in Holyoke, Pittsfield and at the former Springfield Armory. He was born in Chicopee on February 6, 1921 a beloved son of the late Adelard A. and Angelina (Ritchott) Chapdelaine. He was a lifelong resident of Chicopee and lived on Percy Street in the Aldenville section of Chicopee for many years. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II with Battery B of the 312th Field Artillery Battalion and attained the rank of Private First Class. He served in the battles of Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a communicant of Saint Rose de Lima Church in Aldenville. He was a former member of the Aldenville American Legion Post 337 and a former longtime committee member of the Aldenville Boy Scout Troop 138. He was an avid hockey fan and played for the former General Electric Hockey League. He was well known as "Pépère" at many of the local hockey rinks and was bestowed the title of "honorary member" of the Tri-City Hockey Association. He was extremely proud of all his grandchildren, including his grandson Derek who was a goalie for the Cathedral High School Hockey Team and always looked forward to attending his games. He leaves his beloved wife of 58 years, Therese Y. (Masse) Chapdelaine. They were married at Saint Rose de Lima Church in Aldenville on February 8, 1947. He also leaves his loving sons, Richard N. Chapdelaine and his wife Beth of Granby, Michael C. Chapdelaine and his wife Roxann of Floral City, FL, and Robert E. Chapdelaine and his companion Lisa Marshall of Wasaka Beach, Ontario, Canada. His five cherished grandchildren, Derek Chapdelaine, Daniel Chapdelaine, Jac-quelene Chapdelaine, Tristina Connelly and Leann Gardner. His dear sisters, Helene Ducharme and her husband Edgar of West Springfield and Rita Beaulieu and her husband Leo of Tennessee and many dear nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his dear sister, Fabiola R. Lamontagne and his dear brother, Conrad Chapdelaine. His funeral will be held Monday morning, June 6, 2005 at 8 a.m. from the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, 13 Dale Street at the junction of Grattan Street in Chicopee followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. in Saint Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street in Aldenville. His burial will follow the Mass at Saint Rose Cemetery on Olsen Street in Aldenville. His family will receive friends at the funeral home in the Rose Chapel on Sunday afternoon, June 5, 2005 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home off of Lafayette Street. For those who prefer to make a memorial donation, they may be made in his memory to the Saint Joan of Arc – Saint George School Fund, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020.