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Joseph A. Lemay
1/9/2019


CHICOPEE ~ Joseph A. Lemay, 91, of the Aldenville section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. He passed into Eternal Life at home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born at home in Aldenville on April 12, 1927, a beloved son of the late George and Rosalie (Beaulieu) Lemay. He was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee High School and was a lifelong resident of Aldenville. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean War and attained the rank of Commissary Ship’s Cook Petty Officer Third Class. He served aboard the USS Hodges and the USS Rudderow during World War II and received the American Area Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Chicopee and joined the Chicopee Police Department. While serving with the Police Department, he furthered his education and received an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Springfield Technical Community College. He served the City of Chicopee for 37 years and retired with the rank of Captain. He was a member of the Chicopee Police Association, enjoyed working out at Planet Fitness in Chicopee, going to the Chicopee Senior Center and meeting his friends for coffee at McDonald’s on Memorial Drive in Chicopee. He was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee. Most of all, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather who adored his family and his many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Doris J. (VanDall) Lemay who was Called Home on February 14, 2017. They were married on October 20, 1956 at Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 60 years of happiness together. He leaves his three loving children, Keith M. Lemay and his wife, Faith, Wayne J. Lemay and his wife, Lisa Guilbert-Lemay, and Laurie A. Lemay, all of Chicopee; his four cherished grandchildren, Kamren and Cole Lemay and Leah and Janelle Lemay; his dear sister, Jeannette Brodeur of Chicopee; his dear brother-in-law, Dennis VanDall of Leland, NC; his dear sister-in-law, Claire Long and her husband, James, of South Hadley; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Lemay and VanDall families. In addition to his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his two dear brothers, Leon and Maurice Lemay. His Funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 7:45 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, January 14, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family request that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels
13 Dale Street
Chicopee, MA USA 01020
413-532-9806