HOLYOKE – Louis P. Soucia, 81, a resident of the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and a former resident of the Arbors in Westfield, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family, his wonderful caregivers and his dear fellow comrades-at-arms. He was born in Chateaugay, New York on March 25, 1936, a beloved son of the late Joseph and Marguerite (Gauthier) Soucia. He was raised in Chateaugay, attended Chateaugay Central School and had moved to Chicopee in 1964 where he lived the remainder of his life. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War and attained the rank of Specialist Third Class. He had worked at Savage Arms in Westfield. He then worked as a machine operator at the former Falls Machine and Screw Company in Chicopee and later became a co-owner of the business. Louis made a lifelong commitment towards helping the Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee. He had volunteered there for many years and later became a Facilities Director. He had directed all of the Chicopee facilities throughout his time with them. He served as a member of the Board of Directors and was honored by them with a Director Emeritus status for his many years of dedication to helping children succeed in life and their futures. Above all, he loved spending time with his beloved family and his many dear friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Judith M. (Wing) Soucia who was Called Home on March 28, 2007. They were married on February 1, 1958 in Chateaugay, NY and were blessed with over 49 years of happiness together. In addition to his beloved parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his beloved son, Timothy J. Soucia who was Called Home on September 10, 2004; his three dear brothers, Alfred, Phil and Tommy Soucia; and his two dear sisters, Margaret Lawrence and Frances Bolia. Louis leaves his five loving children, Ricky P. Soucia and his wife, Barbara, of Sugar Hill, GA, Debra M. Soucia of Springfield, Randy D. Soucia and his wife, Janelle, of Belchertown, and Julie A. Dudley and her husband, Thomas, and Mary Lou Kagan and her husband, Harley, all of Chicopee; his ten cherished grandchildren, Emily and Jenna Soucia, Morgan Soucia, Rachel and Jacqueline Soucia, Katherine and Jack Dudley, and Harley, Travis and Calvin Kagan; his dear brother, John Soucia of White Plains, NY; his dear sister, Carol Boadway and her husband, Frank, of Chateaugay, NY; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Soucia and Wing families. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staffs at The Arbors in Westfield, the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and Mercy Life for their care and compassion. His Funeral will be held on Monday morning, January 8, 2018 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 10 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, which will conclude with United States Army Military Honors following the Mass. His Burial will be private at the convenience of his family at Saint Patrick Cemetery in Chateaugay, NY. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The parking lot is located at the rear of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Boys and Girls Club of Chicopee, 508 Meadow Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com
