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Reverend Eugene J. Plasse Veteran
October 13, 2018

Obituary

CHICOPEE - Reverend Eugene J. Plasse, 77, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, October 13, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital in Lynchburg, VA surrounded by all the memories he loved and cherished. He was born in Holyoke on November 18, 1940, a son of the late Hector J. and Irene (Racicot) Plasse. In 1948, he moved with his family to Wales where he was raised and graduated in 1959 from Tantasqua Regional High School in Sturbridge. Following his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and attained the rank of Specialist Fifth Class. After his military service, he resumed post graduate studies at Saint Philip Neri School in Haverhill before beginning his studies for the Priesthood at Saint Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield, CT. He continued his priesthood studies at Our Lady of the Angels Seminary in Albany, NY. He was ordained to the Priesthood in the Diocese of Springfield on May 20, 1972 at Saint Christopher Church in Brimfield by the Most Reverend Christopher J. Weldon, D.D., Bishop of Springfield. Father Plasse served as Parochial Assistant at Saint Anthony Church in North Adams from 1972 to 1979, Sacred Heart Church in Pittsfield from 1979 to 1982 and served as their Administrator from 1982 to 1983, and Saint Mary Church in Northampton from 1983 to 1986. He served as Pastor of Saint Thomas Church in Huntington from 1986 to 1995 and Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Palmer from 1995 to 2016 while serving at both of the parish communities of the former Saint Bartholomew Church in the Bondsville Village of Palmer and the former Saint Mary Church in the Thorndike Village of Palmer. Father Plasse was named Assistant Chaplain for the Catholic Committee on Scouting in 1984 and became Chaplain for the committee in 1988, serving in that position in the Diocese of Springfield until the time of his passing. He was also appointed Chaplin of the Daughters of Isabella Palmer Circle in 1996 and the Knights of Columbus Palmer Council 376 in 1997. He leaves his two loving sisters, Marie I. Joly of Holyoke and Elaine A. Plasse of Bedford, VA; his loving brother, Ronald J. Plasse and his wife, Lou Ann, of Cotati, CA; his dear nephews and nieces, Armand J. Joly, III and his partner, Theresa Benoit, of Holyoke, Ann M. Knight and her husband, Rick, of Chicopee, Hope M. Plasse of Virginia, Ronald J. Plasse, Jr. and his wife, Lisa, of Roseville, CA, Amanda A. Plasse of Oswego, NY, Adam J. Plasse of Santa Rosa, CA, Rebecca I. Rains and her husband, Joshua, of San Leandro, CA and Luke E. Plasse and his wife, Ava, of New York, NY; his many cherished grandnephews and grandnieces; and his many dear cousins, brother priests, friends and extended members of the Plasse and Racicot families. In addition to his beloved parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brother-in-law, Armand J. Joly, Jr. who was Called Home on March 1, 2009. Father Plasse will Lie in State on Sunday, October 21, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. which will conclude with a Prayer Vigil Service at 5 p.m. at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, 1076 Thorndike Street, Palmer, MA 01069. A Pontifical Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Mitchell T. Rozanski, Bishop of Springfield on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, 1076 Thorndike Street, Palmer, MA 01069. The Rite of Committal and Burial will follow the Pontifical Liturgy at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Father Plasse’s memory to the Diocese of Springfield f/b/o Catholic Scouting, P.O. Box 1730, Springfield, MA 01102-1730. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com

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St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels
13 Dale Street
Chicopee, MA 01020
413-532-9806