CHICOPEE – Kenneth S. Brach, 65, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, December 19, 2014. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on June 7, 1949 a beloved son of the late Stanley and Helen (Walaszek) Brach. He was raised in Holyoke, graduated from Holyoke High School and lived in Holyoke for many years before moving to the Fairview section of Chicopee in 1978. He furthered his education and received an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts in 1969 from Holyoke Community College. In 1973, Ken also received a Certificate in Computer Programming from the former Business Education Institute in West Springfield. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War with the 110th Quartermaster Supply Company at Fort Stewart, Georgia and attained the rank of Specialist 5th Class. Following his military service, he returned to Holyoke and was employed for 17 years as a supervisor at the former Springfield Photomount Company in Holyoke. He later worked for 23 years at the Titeflex Corporation in Springfield. During his younger years at Holyoke High School, Ken played baseball and basketball. He also played basketball at Holyoke Community College and coached youth basketball for 8 years. He was a member of the Chicopee Country Club and was an avid golfer and sports enthusiast. His most enjoyable times were spent vacationing at Lake George with his wife Mary and his sons, coaching and playing sports, and celebrating the holidays with them and his extended family. Recently, the joy of his life was his beautiful granddaughter, Lyla Rose. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Mary A. (Santora) Brach. They were married on June 16, 1974 at Saint Mary Church in North Grafton and were blessed with over 40 years of happiness together. He also leaves his loving sons, Matthew J. Brach and his fiancée, Dorothy Iwanowicz, of Watertown and Andrew J. Brach and his wife, Bethany, of Chicopee; his cherished granddaughter, Lyla Rose Brach whom he adored; his dear sister, Lynn Brach of Brookline; his dear mother-in-law, Rose Santora of North Grafton; and his dear brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Brach and Santora families. His funeral will be held on Saturday morning, December 27, 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 with US Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, Pittroff Avenue, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, December 26, 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 to the Shriners Hospital for Children, (specify Springfield), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com