Robert H. Laperle

CHICOPEE-Robert H. LaPerle, 85, of Goodhue Avenue in Chicopee passed away on Thursday evening, January 18, 2018, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Bob was born on August 7, 1932 in Springfield, a son of the late Henri and Marie (Turgeon) LaPerle. He grew up in Chicopee and had resided here all his life, attended local schools and graduated from the former Chicopee Trade School. He joined the US Army and served for several years before being honorably discharged and returning home. Bob began his career with the Springfield Armory, then later working for Yankee Coach and finally Custom Woodworking before retiring. He was a longtime communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Chicopee.  Robert enjoyed Antique cars, and was a skilled model builder; he had completed several scale model reproductions. Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife, Jean (Kusmierz) in 2008 and a son, Kevin in 2014. He leaves his children; Gary LaPerle of Chicopee, Glenn LaPerle and his wife Marge of Middletown, NY., Doreen Lukasik and her husband Ronald of Chicopee and Debra Melhorn and her husband Mark of South Hadley, 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Bob is also survived by two sisters; Edna Gagne and Yvette Lavallee both of Chicopee and several nieces and nephews. His siblings; Richard LaPerle, Rita Benoit, Alice Houle, Irene Dumas, Blanche Boucher and Agnes Marcinkiewicz predeceased him. Calling hours for Robert will be Tuesday afternoon from 4-7 p.m. at the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway St., Chicopee. Funeral services will be Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. from the Tylunas Funeral Home followed by a Liturgy of Christian burial at 9:30 A.M. in St. Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan St., followed by burial in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Fuller Rd. all in Chicopee. Donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 60 Walnut St, # 102, Wellesley, MA 02481