CHICOPEE – Rene “Butch” St. Laurent, 83, a longtime resident of Frink Street in the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, October 2, 2017. He passed into Eternal Life at the Loomis House in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Quebec City, Canada on July 9, 1934, a beloved son of the late Albert St. Laurent and Alexandrine (Lefebvre) St. Laurent. His early years were spent in Quebec. In 1953, he immigrated to Holyoke where he lived for several years. In 1967, he became an American Citizen and in 1970, he moved to the Fairview section of Chicopee where he lived for many years. He was employed for over 36 years as a mechanic for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and retired as a Supervisor in 1996. During his leisure time, Butch enjoyed playing cards, camping, church dinners, French night and the beach. Most of all, he was a quiet man who loved his family and his many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Ann “Huguette” (Lessard) St. Laurent who was Called Home on January 22, 1993. They were married on September 6, 1955 at the former Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 37 years of happiness together. He leaves his four loving children, Gerry P. St. Laurent of Northampton, Denis D. St. Laurent of Chicopee, Lynn St. Laurent of Myrtle Beach, SC and Mark A. St. Laurent and his wife, Cathy, of Feeding Hills; his four cherished grandchildren, Bryan St. Laurent, Eric Ladabouche and his wife, Elizabeth, Krystle St. Laurent and Matthew St. Laurent ; his three cherished great-grandchildren, Andrew Ladabouche, Nicholas Ladabouche and Q’stin McQuarn; his dear brother, Andre St. Laurent and his wife, Collette, of Mirabel, P.Q., Canada; his dear sister, Maria Bilodeau of Quebec City, Canada; his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the St. Laurent and Lessard families; and his longtime companion, Claire Laprade of Easthampton. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by several brothers and sisters. His funeral will be held on Tuesday morning, October 10, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will follow the Mass at Notre Dame Cemetery, 63 Lyman Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, October 9, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children Springfield Unit, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com
