CHICOPEE - Albert A. "Pete" Martel, 77, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, 2017. He passed into Eternal Life at Wingate at South Hadley surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born at home on Blanchard Street in Fairview on March 3, 1940, a beloved son of the late Albert J. "Pete" and Athene "Teenie" (Lemon) Martel. He was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee High School and was a lifelong resident of Fairview. He served his country in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Airman Second Class. He was employed as a delivery driver for United Parcel Service for 32 years where he was recognized as a member of their Elite Safe Driver Group and retired in 2001. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. He was a member of Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus, the Western Mass. Relics Softball League and the former Fairview American Legion Post 438. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, M. Celeste (Granaudo) Martel. They were married on October 1, 1966 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 51 years of happiness together. He also leaves his three loving sons, Michael S. Martel of Belchertown, Steven M. Martel and his wife, Lynn, of Holyoke and David C. Martel of South Hadley; his six cherished grandchildren whom he adored, Antonio and Vincenzo Martel, Garrett and Mackenzie Martel and Jordyn and Ariana Martel; his two dear brothers, Richard Martel and his partner, Tina Murphy, of Easthampton and Paul Martel and his wife, Alice, of Ludlow; his dear brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Antonio Granaudo and his wife, Pasqualina, of East Longmeadow, Michael Granaudo and his wife, Rose, of Southwick, Victor Granaudo and his wife, Barbara, of Sarasota Springs, FL and Florinda Cosentino of Springfield; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the Martel and Granaudo families. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his loving daughter-in-law, Colette A. Boileau who was Called Home on March 31, 2014; and his dear brother, Robert J. "Bobby" Martel who was Called Home on July 3, 2013. His Funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, November 29, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Mass at Notre Dame Cemetery, 63 Lyman Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children Springfield Unit, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9905. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
