Tributes

CHICOPEE- Marilyn Ann (Forant) Perron, 88, a longtime Chicopee resident passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon in South Hadley with her devoted daughter at her side. Marilyn was born in Springfield on December 11, 1931, a daughter of the late Armand R. & Anna M. (Gosselin) Forant. She was raised in Chicopee attending local schools and graduated from Chicopee High School. She furthered her education, pursuing her dreams, and graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing....

SPRINGFIELD - Ralph R. Purdy, 85, of Dana St. in Springfield passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019 at Care one of Redstone. Ralph was born in Springfield on January 28, 1934, a son to the late James and Anita (DeGray) Purdy. He was educated in Springfield schools and graduated from Springfield Classical High School. Ralph enlisted with the US Army, serving with the 2nd US Army Research group as a Military Intelligence Specialist. He was honorably discharged and returned home in...

Readsboro, VT ~ Walter Lapa Jr., 69, of Readsboro, VT passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Thursday December 26, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.  Walter was born in Worcester, MA on May 9, 1950, a son of the late Walter and Emelina Lapa (Cini).  Walter grew up on Joy St. in Chicopee where he spent his youth working on the family farm and playing baseball.  Walter went on to become skilled in the construction trade and formed his own company, Lapa Roofing and...

GRANBY-Thomas R. Waldron Sr., 69, of Taylor Street passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully on Wednesday, December 24, 2019 at his home. Tommy or Tom as his family and friends knew him as, was born on April 10, 1950 in Ludlow, the son of the late Norman and Jeanne (Besse) Waldron. He grew up in Indian Orchard, attending local schools including St. Matthews RC School and graduated from Springfield Technical High School in 1968.  He enlisted in the US Army in September of 1969,...

SPRINGFIELD ~ Bernice Marguerite Duquette, 92, formerly of 172 Hampshire Street in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield passed away  peacefully on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. Born in Springfield, Bernice was raised and educated in local schools. She worked for many years as the Switchboard Operator at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. She was a devoted Communicant of St. Michael's Cathedral in Springfield.  She was predeceased by her parents; Homer L. and Regina...

Agawam ~ Arthur Norton, 82, of Edgewater Road in Agawam passed away peacefully on Friday, December 6, 2019 at BSMC in Springfield, MA. Arthur was born on May 28, 1937 the son of the late William & Cornelia (Lavigne) Norton. He leaves a sister, Elaine Holt of Ohio, several nieces and nephews and his many beloved friends and caregivers at Hilltop Care. A private service was held from Tylunas Funeral Home with Fr. Michael Twohig as Celebrant. Arthur was laid to rest in St....

LONGMEADOW – William W. Rae, 93, of Village Green in East Longmeadow passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at the Holyoke Soldier Home. William was born in Chicopee Falls on March 13, 1926, one of seven children to Richard & Margaret (Fox) Rae. He enlisted in the US Navy, serving as a Seaman 1st class aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). Bill saw action in New Guinea, Palau and Truk among others battles. He was also involved in the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign and the...

CHICOPEE-Helen (Avlas) Lenz, 101, of Ondrick Drive in Chicopee passed away peacefully more than a century after she entered this world, her loving family surrounding her on Saturday evening at her home. Helen was born on November 22, 1917 in Clinton, Massachusetts, the daughter of proud Greek immigrants, John and Melanie (Karangelos) Avlas. She was raised and educated in the Clinton area, furthering her education, she attended and graduated from Becker College. She was married to Charles E....

WEST SPRINGFIELD-Marilyn G. Carr, 78, of Clayton drive in West Springfield passed away on Saturday evening, October 12, 2019 at Holyoke Hospital with her loving family at her side. Marilyn or  ‘‘The Queen” as her family lovingly sometimes referred to her, was born in Fall River on September 6, 1941, a daughter to the late Walter and Gertrude (Alty) Platt. She was raised and educated in Fall River, attending local schools and graduated from the former Sacred Heart...

 CHICOPEE - Rocco J. “Rocky” Calabrese, 95, formerly of Hillcrest Street in Chicopee passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at BSMC in Springfield. Rocky was born on March 5, 1924 in Springfield to the late Gennaro and Maria Antonia (Daniele) Calabrese. He was raised and educated in Springfield, attending local schools. During WWII, he joined the US Army, serving with the 257th Ordnance Company. He saw action in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Central...