Lionel J. GIROUARD

CHICOPEE - Lionel "Len" J. Girouard, 82, of Chicopee, died Wednesday, August 24, 2005, at the UMass Memorial Healthcare Center in Worcester. Born September 7, 1922, the son of the late Elphege and Emma (Lemoine) Girouard, he lived most of his life in Chicopee and for a while in Farmington, CT. He was a graduate of Cathedral High School. A Navy veteran of World War II he fought in the European-North Atlantic Theatre of War. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received serving aboard the USS LST 314 which was sunk during the D-Day Invasion at Omaha Beach. Lionel was retired 25 year quality control manager for General Dynamics Corporation's Electric Boat Division in Groton, CT. He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church, Springfield, a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus; and a member of the Non-Destructive Testing Society. Lionel is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, M. Theresa "Tessie" (Choquette) Girouard; his loving son, Robert D. Girouard, of Albany, NY; his loving daughter, Lisa A. Bessette and her husband Joel, of Chicopee; and his loving grandson, Jason VanSchelt, of Chicopee. He was predeceased by 2 brothers, Aldeo Girouard and Harvey Girouard, and a sister, Irene Fiebig. Funeral services will be held Monday, August, 29, 2005 at 9AM from the Kozikowski Funeral Home, 565 Front St., Chicopee, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut St., Springfield. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Calling Hours are Sunday from 3:00-7:00PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942. Published in The Republican from 8/26/2005 - 8/27/2005.