Raymond J. Pion

Raymond J. Pion                                                      1925-2010   CHICOPEE- Raymond "Ray" J. Pion, 84, a life long Chicopee resident, entered into eternal rest on Monday, February 15, 2010 in Wingate of South Hadley Nursing Home. Raymond was born in Chicopee on November 30, 1925, a son of the late Francis X. and Armande (Charpentier) Pion. He attended Assumption School in Chicopee, graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield and attended the University of Ottawa in Canada. Raymond owned and operated AA Equipment, and had also worked at Bob Pion Pontiac. He was a WWII U.S. Air Force veteran obtaining the rank of Corporal. Raymond was a Remote Control Turret Mechanic and received the Aviation Badge, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was a communicant of the former St. George Church in Chicopee. Ray loved airplanes and flying and obtained his private pilot license. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and loved being with his family. Ray is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Elise M. (Morin) Pion; six children, Mark S. Pion and his wife Kathleen of Northampton, Jeanne M. Tryon and her husband Herb of East Longmeadow, Susan I. Martin and her husband Leo of Chicopee, Elizabeth M. Deegan and her husband John of Kennebunk, ME, Jack R. Pion and his wife Lisa of Easthampton, and Jim C. Pion and his wife Devon of Chicopee; 12 grandchildren, Jessica, Andy, Tony, Katie, Christopher, Greg, Mathew, Sam, Lauren, Joe, Ben, and A.J.; two great-grandchildren, Pablo and Lily; a brother, Bob Pion and his wife Marion of Ludlow; a sister, Claire Ryan and her husband Bill of Castleton on Hudson, NY; a brother-in-law, Frank Cole of Auburn, MA; a sister-in-law, Lorraine Pion of Agawam; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Megan Pion; a brother, Francis Pion; and a sister, Irene Cole. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 19th beginning at 9:00 a.m. from the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway, Chicopee, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. in Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Blvd., Springfield. Rites of Committal, military honors and burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Hampden St., Chicopee. Raymond's family will receive relatives and friends at the visiting hours on Thursday, February 18th from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Raymond's memory to Autism Speaks, 85 School St., Suite 100, Watertown, MA 02472. For directions or online guestbook, please visit www.tylunasfuneralhome.com .                                                 Tylunas Funeral Home                                                     (413) 592-0148