CHICOPEE – Norman R. Bail, 77, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, March 16, 2014. He passed into Eternal Life at Mount Saint Vincent Care Center in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers after a long illness. He was born in Holyoke on November 10, 1936, a beloved son of the late Homer E. and Bertha (Choiniere) Bail. He was raised in the Fairview section of Chicopee and lived in Belchertown for almost eight years before returning to Fairview where he lived for the remainder of his life. He attended the former Sacred Heart High School and graduated from the former Saint Jerome High School, both in Holyoke. In 1958, he received a degree from the former Ward School of Electronics, which was a division of the University of Hartford. Norman served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard for eight years with the 109th Signal Battalion and attained the rank of Specialist 4th Class. For over 25 years, Norman was the owner of Norman R. Bail Enterprises in Chicopee. He was a well-known general contractor, remodeler, home designer, and home builder in the area. Prior to forming his own company, Norman designed, built and sold furniture for both the wholesale and retail markets. In the 1970’s, he bought merchandise for below wholesale and sold it to area stores including Railroad Salvage and Spags. Norman began his music career with the Bail Brothers Orchestra and was a greatly sought after drummer for local appearances and floor shows. He was a drum instructor at Falcetti Music Center in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield and was a former member of the Holyoke and Springfield Musicians Unions. Norman was active in state politics and was a member of several clubs and civic organizations including the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus in Chicopee since 1956. He was a founding member and treasurer for many years of the Student Builders at Chicopee Comprehensive High School. He was also a member of the Western Massachusetts Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Springfield where he was the first recipient of the Edgar R. Pederson Award for exceptional and outstanding service to the association. He was also a fundraiser for Autism Speaks. During his leisure time, he enjoyed working around his home on various projects. He was a simple man who focused his life on his faith, family and numerous friends. Active in his faith, he was a lifetime communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. He served his parish as a member of the parish council. He was active in Marriage Encounter and was a facilitator for Evenings for Parents. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Mary Ann (McCool) Bail. They were married on July 24, 1971 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Granby and were blessed with over 42 years of happiness together. Besides his wife, he leaves his three loving daughters, Jacqueline L. Bail of Chicopee, Rebecca Bail McGrath and her husband, Edward, of Wilmington, MA and Alicia M. Hardy and her husband, Daniel, of Housatonic, MA; his six cherished grandchildren, Nicholas McCullough, Sabrina McCullough, Aidan McGrath, Dillon McGrath, Madeline Hardy and Amelia Hardy; his dear brother, Albert H. Bail and his wife, Maureen (McCool) Bail, of Granby; his dear sister-in-law, Lorraine Bail of Warrenton, VA; his dear brothers-in-law of the McCool family, John “Jack” McCool and his wife, Marilyn "Bo" of Austin, TX and Kevin McCool and his wife, Patricia, of Edgewater Park, NJ; and his many dear nephews, nieces, and cousins. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brother, Roderick “Dick” Bail. His funeral will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2014 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 10 a.m. in Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will follow the Mass at Notre Dame Cemetery, 63 Lyman Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory for the special needs account set up for his grandson at: Pioneer Investments (Specify 24-6210422054), P.O. Box 55014, Boston, MA 02205. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com