CHICOPEE ~ Harry J. Thibeault, Sr., 95, of the Willimansett Heights section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. He passed into Eternal Life at Renaissance Manor at Cabot in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and wonderful caregivers. He was born in West Haven, Connecticut on Decmeber 16, 1923, a beloved son of the late Hercules and Grace (Schaffeld) Thibeault. He was raised and educated in West Haven before he enlisted in the military. He served in the United States Navy during World War II in the submarine service including five war patrols on the USS 246 Croker. He reenlisted in the Army Air Corps, which became the United States Air Force, and served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and retired with the rank of Master Sergeant after 25 years of military service. He worked as an insurance agent for the New York Life Insurance Company and later worked as a vocational teacher at Chicopee Comprehensive High School. He was a communicant of the former Saint Mary of the Assumption Church and currently a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church, both in Chicopee. An avid boater, he was a founding member of the Western Mass Yacht Club in South Hadley. He also was a member of the Submarine Veterans of World War II and the Westover Club at Westover Air Reserve Base and the Amvets Post 12, both in Chicopee. Above all, Harry loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Mary M. “Marge” (Phillips) Thibeault who was Called Home on May 25, 2004. They were married on June 27, 1949 in West Haven, CT and were blessed with over 54 years of happiness together. Harry leaves his loving son and caregiver, Harry J. Thibeault, Jr. and his friend, Marlene Rozell, of Chicopee; his cherished granddaughter, Ashley F. Thibeault and her companion, Jared Mink of Endicott, NY; his two dear sisters, Elaine Gaffney of Yorktown Heights, NY and Patty Carney and her husband, Dick of Hamden, CT; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Thibeault families. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his loving daughter, Diane F. Thibeault who was Called Home on November 19, 1989; his dear brother, William F. “Billy” Thibeault and his wife, Ann; and his two dear brothers-in-law, Jack Gaffney and Robert J. Phillips. His family will receive friends on Friday, June 21, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. Prayer Service at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot and main entrance of the funeral home are located at the rear at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Air Force Military Honors along with his wife Mary’s Committal Service will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 3 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. In lieu of flowers, 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