SPRINGFIELD – Rene C. Bernier, 73, of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. He passed into Eternal Life at home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Saint Cesaire, Province of Quebec, Canada on September 17, 1943, a beloved son of the late Marcellin A. Bernier and Marguerite Y. (Brien) Grenon. He was raised in Saint Cesaire and came to Springfield in 1953 where he lived for the remainder of his life. He graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield and also attended American International College and Western New England College, both in Springfield. He served his country in the United States Army Reserves and attained the rank of Sergeant. He was employed as a meat cutter at the 90 Meat Outlet on Avocado Street in Springfield and had previously worked at several places including the former A & P Food Stores and the former Edwards Food Warehouse. He was a communicant of the former Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Springfield and was a member of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters’ Union. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his loving family and his many dear friends. He leaves his beloved sister, Suzanne D. Alden of Monson; his cherished nephews and nieces, Todd J. Alden and his fiancée, Christine Romanko, of Springfield, and James Arooth and his wife, Ellen, Dena M. Plante and her husband, William, and Francine Cavanaugh, all of Monson; his cherished grand-nephew and grand-nieces, Ellia Madison Alden, Catherine Plante, Michael Plante and Lisa Cavanaugh; and his many dear friends and extended members of the Bernier, Grenon and Brien families. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his loving sister, Carmen M. Arooth; and his cherished nephew, Dennis J. Alden who was Called Home on December 19, 1995. His visiting hours and funeral services will be private at the convenience of his family. His funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Baystate Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com