CHICOPEE ~ Leonel H. Labrie, 95, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, September 9, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at his home while sitting in his favorite recliner surrounded by all the memories he loved and cherished. He was born in Sainte-Julie, Province of Quebec, Canada on October 21, 1922, a beloved son of the late Joseph and Marie (Roy) Labrie. At a young age, he moved with his parents and settled on a farm on Amherst Street in Granby where they lived for many years. After building his home in 1950, Leonel and his wife, Marie, moved to the Fairview section of Chicopee where he lived his entire life. He served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served as a Radio Operator with the 96th Fighter Control Squadron in the battles of India Burma, China and Central Burma. He received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he returned to the area and was employed as a Television Repairman for Albert King Television Repair in Northampton. He later was employed as a machinist at the former Tracies Company, which was later the M. M. R. Machine Company. During his leisure time, Leonel enjoyed tinkering around his home. He was an inventor of sorts and was always busy working on a project at his home. He also enjoyed gardening, working on his lawn and most especially loved playing golf in his spare time. He often enjoyed his visits with his beloved “grand-dog”, Bentley. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Marie B. (Belanger) Labrie who was Called Home on February 18, 1997. They were married on November 24, 1945 at the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ware and were blessed with over 51 years of happiness together. He leaves his loving daughter, Janice L. Konieczny of Westfield; his two cherished grandchildren, Tara M. Konieczny of Granby, CT and Gregg A. Konieczny of Westfield; his cherished great-grandson whom he adored, Aiden J. Konieczny; his special friend, Lauria St. Onge of Chicopee; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Labrie and Belanger families. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his dear brothers and sisters, Albert, Antonio, Maurice, Eugene and Alphonse Labrie, Bibiane Morin, Rita Moquin and Cecile Tessier. His family would like to thank Cheryl Fortier of the Interim Health Care and the staff at Western Mass Elder Care for their continued support and assistance for the past several years in keeping Leonel in his own home. His funeral will be held on Friday morning, September 14, 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. in Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, September 13, 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 Shriners Hospital for Children, Springfield Unit, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
