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Robert L. "Bob" Pajak
7/4/2022


CHICOPEE – Robert L. “Bob” Pajak, 86, of the Chicopee Falls section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, July 4, 2022. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born on his Dziadziu’s farm on Fuller Road in Chicopee during the flood of 1936 on March 25, 1936, a beloved son of the late John S. and Helen M. (Stucinska) Pajak. He was raised in Chicopee and graduated from Chicopee High School, class of 1953, and was a lifelong resident of the city. He received his associate’s degree from Holyoke Community College. He enlisted in the Air National Guard, then, the United States Air Force where he proudly served his country during the Korean War and attained the rank of Airman First Class. Following his service to his country, he went to work for International Telephone and Telegraph and was sent to work on nuclear submarines which housed the Polaris Missiles in Scotland. When he returned home, he was employed for many years as a lineman for the Chicopee Electric Light Company where he retired in 1996 in the position of Superintendent. Following his retirement, he served as the Chicopee Electric Light Commissioner for 12 years. He was an active member of the Aldenville American Legion Post 337 in Chicopee where he served his post for many years as Chaplain and Historian. He was also a member of the Moose Family Center 1849, the Amvets Post 12, the Knights of Columbus Elder Council 69 and was a Past President of the Chicopee Patriotic Committee, the Tigers Athletic Club, the Fireball Club and the Kielbasa Festival, all in Chicopee. He was a longtime communicant of the former Saint Patrick Church in Chicopee Falls and was currently a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. Bob loved tending to his vegetable garden while listening to Polka music and hunting with his buddy, John “Nugs” Noga. He also enjoyed cruising with his wife, Barbara, and home cooked meals. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Barbara A. (McGuire) Pajak. They were married on December 14, 1979 at Saint Patrick Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 42 years of happiness together. He also leaves his eight loving children, Holly Dunbar and her husband, Bruce, of Lakeland, FL, Lynn Dunbar and her husband, Steve, of Cumming, GA, Michael Mitchell and his partner, Lisa LaValley, of Chicopee, Moira Ploof and her husband, Tracy, of Westfield and John Pajak and his partner, Lynn Lombard, and Kara Gauthier and her husband, Paul, all of Chicopee, Joseph Pajak and his wife, Carisa, of Chelmsford and Robert Poole and his wife, Theresa, of California; his 15 cherished grandchildren, Olivia and Peyton Dunbar, Sydney Dunbar, Zackery Mitchell, Evan and Meredith Ploof, Gabriel Laker, Tessie and Shay Pajak, Kate and Daniel Gauthier, Abigail and Bennett Robert Pajak, Luke Poole and his wife, Anna, and Laura Ruell and her husband, Ken; his six cherished great grandchildren, Aubrey, Connor and Natalie Poole and Wyatt, Everett and Alice Ruell; his dear sister, Jane Krupa of Chicopee; his dear brother in law, John McGuire of Chicopee; his dear sister in law, Alice McGuire of South Hadley; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended family members. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his three dear brothers, Edwin, Alfred and Stanley Pajak; and his dear sister, Jean Chappel. His Funeral will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:15 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His Burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Patrick Cemetery, 168 Fuller Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, July 8, 2022 from 5 p.m. to 7 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 Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels
13 Dale Street
Chicopee, MA USA 01020
413-532-9806