CHICOPEE – Ray “Pete” Vaughn, 80, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. 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 Taylorville, IL on January 29, 1945, a beloved son of the late Earl W. and Matilda (Zabarac) Vaughn. He was raised and educated in Taylorville and had moved to Chicopee in 1965 where he lived the remainder of his life. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Sergeant. He was employed in the kitchen at The Arbors at Chicopee and had previously worked at U.S. Envelope in Springfield and Westvaco in Holyoke. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Holyoke. During his leisure time, he enjoyed spending time with his family and his friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved son, Michael R. Vaughn; his beloved daughter, Patricia M. “Trish” Vaughn; his former wife, Polly (Rooney) Vaughn; his dear sister, Shirley Evarsgard; and his dear sister in law, Mary V. (Staples) Vaughn. He leaves his loving twin brother, Roy Vaughn of Chicopee; his loving sister, Earlene Fisher and her husband, Merle, of Taylorville, IL; his cherished nephew, Alan R. Vaughn and his partner, Laureen Blakeslee, of Chicopee; his cherished niece, Amy S. Moore and her partner, Daniel Webster, of Springfield; his cherished grandnieces and grandnephews, Natasha Vaughn Holdridge and her husband, Kevin, Nala Thebeau, James Vaughn and his companion, Emily, Angel Orengo and his wife, Nicole, Daniel Moore and his partner, Noah; and Kiara Moore and her companion, Harrison; his cherished great grandniece, Mila Thebeau; and his many dear extended family members and friends. His family will receive friends on Friday, September 5, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The funeral home parking and main entrance are located in the rear at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Service on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1810 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040, (Please meet directly at the Church). His Burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will be private at Sainte Rose Cemetery in Chicopee. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to First Lutheran Church, 1810 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
