CHICOPEE – Joseph A. Plourde, 86, of Chicopee passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Springfield on April 3, 1925, a beloved son of the late Joseph A. and Rose Anne (LaRose) Plourde. He was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Cathedral High School and lived in the city for most of his life. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II with Company A, 544th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment and attained the rank of Technician Fifth Grade. He served in the battles of New Guinea and Luzon and received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with a Bronze Service Arrowhead, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Service Star and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Catholic University in Washington, DC. He later did his post graduate work at UMass Amherst, Westfield State College, American International College and the Newspaper Institute of America. He was first employed at Kirby Junior High School in Chicopee and later was an English teacher at Chicopee High School, where he became the Chairman of the English Department. In 1962, he began teaching English at West Springfield High School, where he also became the Chairman of the English Department before his retirement in1986. In 2004, the West Springfield High School Library was named in his honor. He was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his baby daughter, Catherine M. Plourde who passed away on March 10, 1958. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Rhea T. (Geoffroy) Plourde. They were married on August 4, 1956, at the former Saint George Church in Chicopee Falls and were blessed with over 55 years of happiness together. He also leaves: his loving children, Rosemarie C. Buxton and her husband, Jeffrey, of North Andover, MA, Michele T. Barker and her husband, Joseph, of East Longmeadow and Christopher J. Plourde of New Rochelle, NY; his four cherished grandchildren, Robert J., Catherine A. and Benjamin B. Buxton, all of North Andover, MA, and Julia G. Plourde of Pelham Manor, NY; his dear sister, Therese Chevalier and her husband, Joseph, of Westfield; his dear brother, David Plourde and his wife, Joyce, of East Longmeadow; and his many dear nephews and nieces. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, March 15, 2012, beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (funeral home will open at 8:15 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. 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 Wednesday, March 14, 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 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home, 760 Pollard Boulevard SW, Atlanta, GA 30315, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. For online guest book and directions, please visit www.stpierrephaneuf.com