WEST SPRINGFIELD – Ronald V. Desmarais, known to many as “Ron”, 76, of West Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on May 27, 1945, the beloved son of the late Joseph V. and Annette (Leonard) Desmarais. He was raised in Holyoke, graduated from Holyoke Trade High School and had lived in Chicopee for many years before moving to West Springfield in 2000. He served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Forrestal CV-59 Supercarrier that in 1967 suffered a tremendous fire losing 134 souls and injuring 167 sailors. He received the Vietnam Service Medal with One Bronze Star, the National Defense Service Medal and attained the rank of Seaman. After returning from the war, he was employed as a Lithographer for many years at National Blank Book in Holyoke, which later became Dennison National and lastly was Avery Dennison and retired in 2000. He was a former communicant of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee where he and his family were singers with the Folk Group of the Church. He currently was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee. He was a member of the Fairview Knights of Columbus Council 4044 in Chicopee. He enjoyed bowling in the Sundowners League, playing cards on Wednesdays with his work colleagues, the Avery Old Timers, and puttering around his home. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Constance B. “Connie” (Bennis) Desmarais. They were married on June 5, 1971 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 50 years of happiness together. He also leaves his two loving sons, Dale A. Desmarais and his wife, Heather, of Hampden and Michael L. Desmarais of Chicopee; his two cherished grandchildren, Kyla Desmarais and Jaden Desmarais; his dear sister, Dolores Wilson of Nashua, NH; his two dear brothers in law, Larry Bennis and his wife, Lynn, of Chicopee and Roger Bennis and his wife, Ruth, of Tiverton, RI; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his dear brother in law, David Wilson. His Funeral will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 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 Burial with United States Navy 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 Friday, August 27, 2021 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance of the funeral home are located in the rear at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Please specify Springfield, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
