SPRINGFIELD – John E. “Bam-Bam” Day, 77, of the East Springfield section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, May 13, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Ludlow on December 22, 1940, the beloved son of the late Harold S. and Florence (Haswell) Day. He was raised in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, graduated from Springfield Technical High School and moved to East Springfield in 1964 where he lived the remainder of his life. He served his country in the United States Army and attained the rank of Sergeant. He was employed as a Licensed Master Plumber and Pipefitter for over 53 years with the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 104 in Chicopee where he served as the Union President and Treasurer for more than 20 years. He had worked at the former Kegco Mechanical and later at the E.F. Corcoran Plumbing and Heating Company, both in Springfield. John was a communicant of Mary, Mother of Hope Church, a lifetime member of the East Springfield American Legion Post 420, and a member of the Elks Lodge No. 61 for over 50 years and the Adriatic Club, all in Springfield. He had served as a past chairman and member of the Springfield Conservation Committee and, following his retirement, had worked as the Shuttle Supervisor at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds during “The Big E”. An avid golfer, John had hosted the Annual “Bam-Bam Open Golf Tournament” which had been held at Hemlock Ridge and later at the Southampton and Oak Ridge Golf Courses. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Rachel, and his family. Most of all, John loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Rachel A. (Lemire) Day. They were married on November 14, 1964 at Saint Aloysius Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 53 years of happiness together. John also leaves his two loving children, Michael J. Day and his wife, Michelle, of Agawam and Michelle A. Meara and her husband, Daniel, of Holland; his three cherished grandchildren, Ryan, Ashley and Courtney Day; his dear brother-in-law, Eugene Lemire and his wife, Phyllis, of Andover; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Day and Lemire families. In addition to his beloved parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brother-in-law, Wilfred Lemire and his wife, Doris. His Funeral will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2018 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 (funeral home will open at 9:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104. His Burial will be private at the convenience of his family at Holland Cemetery in Holland, MA. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, May 18, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Baystate Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
