HOLYOKE – Robert E. “Bob” Lafrenaye, 87, of Holyoke, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, March 19, 2026. He passed into Eternal Life at his sister-in-law’s home in Chicopee surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born at home on Mt. Carmel Avenue in the Willimansett section of Chicopee on September 6, 1938, a beloved son of the late Eddie and Rosia (Roy) Lafrenaye. He was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee Trade High School, and moved to Holyoke in 1981 where he lived the remainder of his life. He served his country in the Army National Guard and attained the rank of Private. He was a talented wood-worker and was the owner and operator of the Robert Lafrenaye Cabinet Shop in Chicopee and Holyoke. He was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Aldenville. Bob enjoyed tending his beautiful flower gardens, always encouraging everyone to take a rose from one of the many trellises in his yard. The most important thing in his life was spending time with his family and many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Louise (Messier) Lafrenaye who was Called Home on December 5, 1990. He leaves his dear sister-in-law, Pauline M. Dutilly of Chicopee; his six cherished grandchildren, Peter Warren, Jr., John Warren, Marcel Beauvais, Sarah Alexander, Benjamin Beauvais, and Jeremiah Beauvais; his loving niece and caregiver, Elizabeth A. Thomas of Chicopee; and his many cherished great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and extended family members. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his three loving stepchildren, Annette Warren-Cooley, Arthur Beauvais, Jr., and Joseph Beauvais; and his five dear siblings, Harvey Lafrenaye, Annette Kane, Paul Lafrenaye, Aline Guertin and Rita Robillard. His Funeral will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 594 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends on Monday, April 6, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before Mass. The parking lot and main entrance of the funeral home are located in the rear at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
