CHICOPEE – Ralph P. Willett, 96, of the Fairview section of Chicopee was Called Safely Home on Saturday, July 30, 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 in Holyoke on September 7, 1925, a beloved son of the late Philip J. Willett and Florentine (Schuster) Willett Parmentier. He was raised in Holyoke, and graduated from Sacred Heart High School. He furthered his education and attended Aircraft Engine School in Eastport, Maine. Following school, he was hired as a junior airplane mechanic at Westover Air Force Base. While there, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and served during World War II and attained the rank of Private First Class. He received the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his service to his country, he returned home and was employed for over 26 years with the Holyoke Water and Power Company, which became Northeast Utilities, and retired in 1989 as a Supervisor. He was a member of the Galaxy Community Council and the Knights of Columbus Fairview Council 4044 where he volunteered at both Bingo and Spaghetti Supper. He was an avid bingo player, enjoyed a good game of pitch and was an aviation enthusiast. Ralph earned a Commercial Pilot License and was a member of the Western Mass Aviation Association, the P-38 National Association Air Museum in Boston, and the New England Air Museum. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee where he was a member of the Saint Anne Senior Choir. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and soul mate, Marielle F. (Godbout) Willett who was Called Home on January 19, 2004. They were married on August 30, 1952 at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 51 years of happiness. He leaves his two loving children, James R. “Jim” Willett of Chicopee, and Constance M. “Connie” Willett, PhD, and her husband, Clifford B. Gillman, PhD, of Williamsburg, Virginia; his beloved daughter-in-law, Maria F. “Nanda” (Santos) Willett of Chicopee; his four cherished grandchildren, M. Elizabeth Humphries and her husband, Jeffrey J. Graham, PhD, USAF Lt Col, of Herndon, Virginia, John S. Humphries of Dillon, Colorado, Jeffrey M. Willett and Nathan R. Willett, both of Chicopee; his dear niece, Patricia A. (Fedor) Galletta of Chicopee; and his many other dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends, and extended members of the Willett and Godbout families. In addition to his beloved parents and wife, he was predeceased by his loving son, Mark P. Willett who was Called Home on October 14, 2001; his dear sister, Phyllis A. (Willett) Fedor and her husband, Anthony; and his dear nephew, Anthony F. “Terry” Fedor III. His Funeral will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at 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 Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. before Mass. The funeral home parking lot is located in the rear. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
