CHICOPEE – Wilfred R. “Fred” Berthiaume, 81, a longtime resident of Langevin Street in the Fairview section of Chicopee was Called Safely Home on Monday, April 8, 2013. He passed into Eternal Life at Palmer Healthcare surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born at home on Taft Avenue in the Willimansett section of Chicopee on May 20, 1931, a beloved son of the late Aime and Blandine (Dalpe) Berthiaume. He was raised in Willimansett, attended Chicopee schools and lived in the city for many years. He later lived in Holyoke before moving to the Fairview section of Chicopee in 1963. He was a member and longtime truck driver for the Teamsters Local 404 in Springfield. He drove tractor trailers for the former Frank J. Cole Trucking Company in Indian Orchard and St. Johnsbury Trucking Company. He was last employed for ABF Freight Systems, Inc. before retiring in 1996. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee and a former member of the Moose Lodge 1849 in Chicopee. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Esther L. (Chalifoux) Berthiaume who was Called Home on June 10, 2009. They were married on June 27, 1953 at the former Precious Blood Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 55 years of happiness together. He leaves his loving sons, Kenneth J. Berthiaume and his wife, Donna, of Hampden, MA and David A. Berthiaume of Pendleton, OR; his three cherished grandchildren, Jessica Czerniak and her husband, Matthew, Michael Berthiaume and Belinda Berthiaume; his five cherished great-grandchildren, Ryan, Gavin and Ethan Czerniak and Kaiya and Marcelina Berthiaume; his dear sisters, Rose Rivers, Cecile Landry and Annette King and her husband, Richard, all of Chicopee; and his many dear nephews and nieces. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by several siblings. His relatives and friends are invited to attend a Service of Committal on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. at Notre Dame Cemetery, 63 Lyman Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. If desired, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimers Association, 264 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com