CHICOPEE – Gilbert F. “Gibby” Robitaille, 72, of the Willimansett section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, February 1, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at Holyoke Medical Center surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born at home on Meadow Street in Willimansett on November 19, 1945, a beloved son of the late Donald J. and Melva R. (Benoit) Robitaille. He was raised in Willimansett, attended Chicopee schools and was a lifelong resident of Willimansett. He was employed as a Quality Control Inspector at the former Acme Chain Company, which later became US Tsubaki, in Holyoke. He was a communicant of the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee. He enjoyed listening to doo wop music and had an extensive vinyl record collection of his favorite music. He loved being active and enjoyed weight lifting and exercise. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Dawn A. (Schmidt) Robitaille. They were married on August 14, 1965 at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 53 years of happiness together. He also leaves his two loving children, Dean D. Robitaille and his wife, Lynne, and Shelley M. Devlin and her husband, Christopher, all of Chicopee; his five cherished grandchildren, Michael T. Thibault and his wife, Katie, Dean D. Robitaille, Jr., Matthew G. Robitaille, Lauren M. Meizo and Kyle C. Devlin; his two cherished great-grandchildren, Madison Rose Thibault and Calvin J. Robitaille; his dear brother, Donald B. Robitaille and his wife, Suzanne, of East Longmeadow; his dear brother-in-law, Brent Schmidt and his wife, Diane, of Chicopee; his two dear sisters-in-law, Dale King of Holyoke and Darla Rivest of Agawam; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Robitaille and Schmidt families. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his dear brother-in-law, Bradd Schmidt. His funeral services and burial will be private at the convenience of his family. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children Springfield Unit, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or to the Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
