Robert Louis Simard

Robert L. Simard 1917-2013 Chicopee- Robert L. Simard, 96, a lifelong resident of Chicopee, died Tuesday, December 17, 2013. Born in Springfield on April 27, 1917, he was the son of the late Albert E. and Sarah (Bourque) Simard.  Robert attended Chicopee High School and worked at Savage Arms in both Chicopee and Westfield for 43 years retiring in 1981. He was a technical sergeant in the Army during WWII, serving with the Anti-Tank Company of the 104th Infantry 26th Infantry Division which was engaged in combat in the European Theater under the command of General George Patton. Robert received the bronze star and was a member of the American Legion Post 275. He was a communicant of the former St. George Church in Chicopee and currently was a member of Mary, Mother of Hope Church in Springfield. Bob enjoyed fly fishing, pheasant hunting, and especially loved spending time at his summerhouse on Lake Damon in Chesterfield where he lovingly taught each of his grandchildren to row the boat, to fish, and to enjoy the outdoors the way he did. Married on August 2, 1947, he leaves his wife of 66 years, Irene C. (Landers) Simard; his son David R. Simard and his wife JoDee of Cummington, MA; his daughter Gail M. Stathis and her husband Steven of Longmeadow; and his sister Constance "Elaine" Swierk of Chicopee. He was a devoted grandfather and will be greatly missed by his four grandchildren, Diana and Simon Simard, and Tia and Luke Stathis. He was predeceased by his brother Wilbur E. Simard in 2006. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 24, 2013 from the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway St., Chicopee at 11:30 am with a liturgy of Christian burial in Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Blvd, Springfield at 12:30pm. Burial will follow in Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St., Agawam. Visitation Monday, December 23rd from 3-6pm. Donations may be made to Senior Center Building Fund, 7 Valley View Ct., Chicopee, MA 01020. For further information please visit Tylunasfuneralhome.com. Tylunas Funeral Home (413) 592-0148