CHICOPEE – Albert A. “Al” Guertin, 80, of the Willimansett section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, January 16, 2012. He passed into Eternal Life from the Soldiers Home in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born at home on Leslie Street in the Willimansett section of Chicopee on October 13, 1931, a beloved son of the late Arthur and Lucia (Pelletier) Guertin. He was raised in Willimansett, graduated from Mount Carmel Elementary School and Chicopee High School and was a lifelong resident of the city. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, received the National Defense Service Medal and attained the rank of Sergeant. Following his military service, he returned to Chicopee and graduated from the Hampden School of Pharmacy in Willimansett. He became a Registered Pharmacist and was employed for many years at the Midway Pharmacy on Chicopee Street and Loiselle’s Pharmacy on Exchange Street, both in Chicopee, and the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Greenfield and Chicopee. He was a longtime communicant of the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Willimansett. He was a member of the American Legion Post 353 in Willimansett and the Knights of Columbus Elder Council 69 in Chicopee. He leaves: his loving sister and brother, Claire T. Therrien and her husband, Richard, and Armand A. Guertin and his wife, Julie, all of Chicopee; many cherished nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces; and his beloved companions, his dogs, Fonzie and Taffy. His funeral will be held on Saturday morning, January 21, 2012, beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale 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 Anthony of Padua Church, 56 Saint Anthony Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His burial with Military Honors will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home in the Rose Chapel on Friday, January 20, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Holyoke Soldiers Home Activity Fund, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.