Philip R. Pilon

Philip R. Pilon 1926 - 2011 SPRINGFIELD - Philip Raoul Pilon, 85, of Springfield, entered into eternal life on Wednesday, April 6, 2011. Born in Springfield and a life-long resident, he was the son of the late Raoul and Edith (Gonyea) Pilon.  Philip was a retired firefighter for the Springfield Fire Department and worked out of the Oakland Street Fire Station.  He was a Navy veteran of World War II and was a Seabee attached to the 29th Naval Construction Battalion.  He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Area Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon w/1 star and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.  He was an avid camper and enjoyed taking his family on numerous camping trips.  Philip was a communicant of Mary, Mother of Hope Church East Springfield.   He was a member of the parish Men's Club and was an usher and Eucharistic Minister.  He was a member of the Springfield Fire Department Privates Club and the Retired Mass Police and Firefighters Association.  Philip was a long-time volunteer at the Holyoke Soldiers Home.  Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Lionel, Coral and Leon and by his sister, Flora Pilon. He leaves his beloved wife of 60 years, Nancy (Asher) Pilon; (2) sons, Wayne Pilon and his wife, Eveline of East Longmeadow, Gary Pilon of Wales, MA; (2) daughters, Lisa Sanford of Springfield, Gail Cutler and her husband, Thomas of Westfield, his sister, Freida Midura of Springfield; (7) grandchildren and (1) great granddaughter.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, from the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway, Chicopee, at 9 a.m., followed by the Liturgy of Christian Burial in Mary, Mother of Hope Church, East Springfield, at 10 a.m.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Chicopee.  The family will receive relatives and friends at a gathering to be held at the Tylunas Funeral Home on Monday, April 11, 2011 from 4 to 8 p.m.  Memorial contributions in Philip's memory may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA  01104.