CHICOPEE ~ Raymond E. “Ray” Paquette, 67, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, September 23, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on December 26, 1950, a beloved son of the late Gaston J. and Rita M. (Provost) Paquette. Ray was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee Comprehensive High School in 1969 and had lived in South Hadley before returning to Chicopee in 2007. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Specialist Fourth Class. Ray received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was employed as a Computer Repair Technician and had worked at Wang Computers and later for Baystate Data Systems. Ray enjoyed music and had worked at many local bars and clubs as a Karoake Disc Jockey including the Buffalo Club in Chicopee and Francie’s Tavern in Holyoke. Above all, Ray loved spending time with his family and his many friends. Ray leaves his four beloved children, Jennifer P. Burnham and her husband, Zachary, of Milford, Matthew A. Paquette and his wife, Kristen, of Washington, NH, Nathan A. Paquette and his wife, Sarah, of Chicopee and Daniel C. Paquette and his wife, Katti, of West Springfield; his eight cherished grandchildren who truly loved their Pepere, Roger and Nicholas Burnham and Madison, Jennifer, Olivia, Annabelle, Ava and Samuel Paquette; his dear brother, Russell J. Paquette, Sr. and his wife, Claire, of Southampton; his dear companion, Mary Grandlund of Ware; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Paquette family. His family will receive friends on Thursday morning, September 27, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. which will be followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 9 a.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.). The funeral home parking lot is located at the rear. His Burial will be private at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in Ray’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 330 Whitney Avenue, Suite 420, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
