John A. Bessette, age 84, passed away on Feb. 23, 2014. He was born on Sept. 13, 1929, a son of the late Homer and Aurore (Roy) Bessette. John served in the National Guard. He later worked as a locksmith for A.W. Giffords for over 20 years before he retired in 1994. He was a communicant of the former Assumption Parish. He was a member of the Elks Lodge on Granby Rd and also of the former League of Sacred Heart of Assumption Church. He leaves his loving wife of nearly 59 years, Doris (Plasse) Bessette of Chicopee; 3 sons, Paul Bessette of Vergennes, VT, Roger Bessette of Manchester, CT and Glen Bessette of Blanford, MA; 3 daughters, Diane Bessette, Karen Grencho and Lisa Bessette all of Chicopee; 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by 1 brother and 2 sisters. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014 from 5-8 p.m. at the Grise Funeral Home, 280 Springfield St, Chicopee. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 at 10 a.m. from the Grise Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. in Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Assumption Church (104 Springfield St), followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Shriner’s Hospital for children, 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104.