CHICOPEE ~ Francis A. “Bud” Getto, Sr., 86, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at Heritage Hall West in Agawam surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on May 22, 1931, a beloved son of the late Frank A. and Mae (Tobin) Getto. He was raised in Springfield and lived there for many years. He later lived in the Willimansett section of Chicopee before moving to Fairview in 1956. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War and attained the rank of Corporal. He received the National Defense Service Medal for his service. Following his military service, he returned to Chicopee and was employed for over 40 years as a press operator at New England Container Company in Willimansett. He later was employed at United Liquors in Chicopee and retired in 1999. He was a member of the Fairview American Legion Post 438 and the Tigers Athletic Club, both in Chicopee. Active in his Catholic faith, Bud was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Fairview. Most of all, he was a quiet man who loved his family and his many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Christine A. (Soltys) Getto who was Called Home on November 29, 2004. They were married on October 11, 1952 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Willimansett and were blessed with over 52 years of happiness together. He leaves his five loving children, Francis A. Getto, Jr. and his wife, Judy, and Kathleen A. Getto, all of Chicopee, Michael D. Getto and his wife, Cheryl, of Westfield, Patricia A. Newman and her husband, Randall, of Belchertown, and Sandy A. Bielanski of Chicopee; his nine cherished grandchildren, Christine Tedisky and her husband, Mark, Stacey Hurley and her husband, Ryan, Michael D. Getto, II and his wife, Kelly, Andrew J. Getto and his wife, Chezarae, Justin Bielanski and his fiancée, Nicholl, Madison Newman, Benjamin Newman, Joseph Bielanski currently serving in the United States Air Force and Crystal Bielanski and her fiancé, Nick; his ten cherished great-grandchildren, Emma, Hannah and Jacob Tedisky, Abigael, Noelle and Camden Hurley, Nolan and Bryce Getto, and Lillyin and Layla Bielanski; his dear sister, Marilyn Broderick and her husband, James, of Ludlow; his dear brother-in-law, John C. Soltys and his wife, Susan, of Chicopee; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Getto and Soltys families. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his two dear brothers, John and George Getto; and his two dear sisters, Ruth Gordon and Shirley Getto. His Funeral will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 beginning at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Burial with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, 800 Montgomery Street, Chicopee, MA 01013.His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, April 6, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Fairview Knights of Columbus Council 4044 Scholarship Fund, 1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
