CHICOPEE – Joseph R. “Joe” Turgeon, 84, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. He passed into Eternal Life at Holyoke Medical Center surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on January 7, 1942, a beloved son of the late Rosaire J. and Bernadette M. (Gravel) Turgeon. He was raised in Holyoke, graduated from the former Precious Blood High School, and settled in Chicopee in 1967 where he lived for most of his life. He served his country during the Vietnam War in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Airman Second Class. He furthered his education and attended the former Northampton Commercial College. He was employed for over 38 years at Central Chevrolet in West Springfield where he was the longtime financial Manager and retired in 2008. He served for five years as the Chairman of the License Commission for the City of Chicopee under Mayor Joseph Chessey. Joe was a dedicated 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Fairview Council 4044 where was the longtime Financial Secretary and volunteered countless hours chairing various events including the Sweetheart Dance and New Years Eve Gala. He was a 4th Degree member of the Bishop Joseph F. Maguire Assembly and served for three years as the Comptroller. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee where he served his parish as a Lector. In his quiet time, Joe enjoyed working on paint by numbers that are cherished by many family members. Joe loved to listen to Polish music and never missed a chance to dance a polka with his wife, Dottie. Most of all, he was a loving and devoted husband, father, and “Pop”, who adored and loved his family and spending time with his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Dorothy G. “Dottie” (Gorman) Turgeon. They were married on September 11 1965 at Saint Michael Church in East Longmeadow and were blessed with over 61 years of happiness. He also leaves his three loving sons, Robert J. “Bob” Turgeon and his fiancée, Emily Raymond, and William J. “Bill” Turgeon, all of Chicopee, and Brian J. Turgeon and his wife, Regina “Gina” Turgeon, of Spring Hill, FL; his three cherished grandsons, Joshua, Jacob, and Evan Turgeon; and his many nephews and nieces including his special nephew and niece, Matthew Turgeon of Chicopee and Christina Turgeon of Richmond, VA, his many cousins, extended family members, and friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved son, Joseph R. “Joey” Turgeon who was Called Home on December 29, 2010; and his eight dear siblings, Adolphe Turgeon, Palmer Turgeon and his Wife, Dorothy, Lucien Turgeon and his Wife, Coszette, Ralph Turgeon and his wife, Constance, Roger Turgeon and his wife, Celia, Gabrielle Hennessey and her husband, Raymond, Gisele Bernier and her husbands, Joseph and Martin, and Cecile Hooper and her husband, Richard. His Funeral will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026 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 11:30 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The Mass will conclude with United States Air Force Military Honors. His Burial will be private at Sainte Rose Cemetery in Chicopee. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday morning, October 24, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to his Mass. The parking lot and main entrance of the funeral home are located in the rear the rear of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Sunshine Village, 75 Litwin Lane, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
