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Francis L. "Colonel" Desjeans
7/9/2018


HOLYOKE ~ Francis L. "Colonel" Desjeans, 78, of the Elmwood Towers in Holyoke, was Called Safely Home on July 9, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at Holyoke Medical Center surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Fitchburg, MA on November 3, 1939, the beloved son of the late Laurent L. and Yvonne (Croteau) Desjeans. He was raised and educated in Holyoke and had lived in Chicopee for many years before returning to Holyoke in 2013. He served his country in the United States Navy and attained the rank of Seaman Recruit. He was employed for 28 years as a police officer with the City of Holyoke and retired in 1997. Previously, he was employed as a tractor trailer operator for Branch Motor Express in Holyoke. He was a Past Grand Knight, Secretary and Treasurer of the Knights of Columbus Holyoke Council No. 90, a former member of Knights of Columbus Elder Council No. 69 in Chicopee and, in 2009, he became an Honorary Life Member of the Fairview Council No. 4044 Knights of Columbus in Chicopee. He was a Former District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Fourth Degree. He was a member of the Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Inspectors Association. He also was a member, Past President and Treasurer of the Massachusetts Police Association. During his leisure time, he enjoyed camping, cruising and vacationing often to Aruba. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Elaine R. (Corbeil) Desjeans. They were married on January 24, 1959 at Holy Rosary Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 59 years of happiness together. He also leaves his four loving children, Patricia A. Gauthier and her husband, Richard, of Holyoke, Glenn F. Desjeans and his wife, Karen, of Chicopee, Paula Y. Hooper and her husband, Richard, of Cape Coral, FL and Daniel L. Desjeans and his wife, Shawnna, of Chicopee; his five cherished grandchildren, Courtney Fay and her husband, Andrew, Ashley Oquendo and her husband, Samuel, Christopher Desjeans, Joshua Hooper and Allyson Desjeans; his cherished great-grandson, Caleb Oquendo; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Desjeans and Corbeil families. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his cherished infant son, Francis L. Desjeans, Jr. who was Called Home on September 16, 1966; and his dear sister and brother-in-law, Rita C. Donaldson and her husband, Buster. His funeral will be held on Friday, July 13, 2018 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Funeral Services will conclude with United States Navy Military Honors following the Mass. His Burial will be private at the convenience of his family at Notre Dame Cemetery in South Hadley. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, July 12, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral home parking lot is located at the rear. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels
506 Britton Street
Chicopee, MA USA 01020
413-533-3307