CHICOPEE ~ Arthur A. “Art” Monahan, 88, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at Holyoke Medical Center surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Cambridge on April 23, 1930, a beloved son of the late Arthur A. and Louise (Cassino) Monahan. He was raised in Cambridge and graduated from Rindge Technical High School. At the age of 17, Art enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served his country during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and retired in 1968 after over 20 years. Art held the distinction of being the youngest Chief Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He served with the 371st Bombardment Squadron, the 307th Bombardment Group, the 4050th Maintenance Squadron, the 305th Air Refueling Squadron and the 384th Air Refueling Squadron at Westover Air Force Base. Art was stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Ryukyu Islands, Japan, MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL, Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey, McGuire Air Force Base in Burlington County, NJ and retired at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Following his military service in 1968, Art purchased a home in the Fairview section of Chicopee. He was employed as a foreman at the former A.G. Spalding Company in Chicopee and later was employed as a Banker and Treasurer at the Westover Credit Union, which became the Pioneer Valley Credit Union and later the Ludlow Savings Bank. Art was a member of the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus, the Moose Family Center, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, the American Legion and the Galaxy Community Council, all in Chicopee. He also served for many years as a Hampden County Deputy Sheriff. He enjoyed golfing and was a regular at the Westover Golf Course. Every morning, Art read the morning paper and enjoyed coffee and a poppy seed roll at Russ’s Restaurant at the Glenwood Circle in Springfield. Most of all, Art was a loving father and grandfather. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Patricia Ann (Varnadore) Monahan who was Called Home on June 23, 1993. He leaves his two loving daughters, Linda Monahan and her partner, Bruce J. Mailhott, and Diana L. Monahan-Brown and her partner, Mark Rhodes, all of Chicopee; his three cherished grandchildren whom he adored, Michael C. Whalen and his wife, Erin, Kylie P. Brown and Patrick M. Brown; his two cherished great-grandchildren, Landen A. Whalen and Liliana A. Whalen; his two dear sisters, Patricia Casey and Marilyn Martin, both of Arlington; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the Monahan and Varnadore families. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his dear sister and brother-in-law, Louise Drinan and her husband, John; his dear brothers-in-law, Francis Casey and Robert Martin; and his dear sister-in-law, Frances. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday morning, June 18, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m. at the St. Pierre ~ Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA01020. (The parking lot is located in the rear of the Funeral Home). His Burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow at Saint Rose Cemetery, 226 Granby Road, South Hadley, MA 01075. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com