CHICOPEE – Leslie D. “Les” Buchmann, 87, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, December 30, 2014. He passed into Eternal Life from his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Madison, Minnesota on August 22, 1927, a beloved son of the late Herbert and Mary (Chester) Buchmann. In 1947, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served his country during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He served in numerous assignments including Japan, the Philippines and the Medical Airlift in Frankfurt, Germany. His most memorable assignment was working the grounds crew for Air Force One at National Airport and later at Andrews Air Force Base during the Eisenhower Administration. He later served during the Vietnam Era in Saigon and then went to Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt, Germany. His last duty assignment in 1969 brought him to Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee where he worked on the B-52’s. He retired from the US Air Force in 1971 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He then worked for 15 years as a computer operator in the banking industry at the former Western Mass Computer Center in Holyoke. During his leisure time, Les was an avid bowler and a pool shark. He volunteered for many of the bowling leagues and inspected and certified the measurements at many of the local bowling alleys. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching many of the games including his favorite Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and the former Hartford Whalers. Most of all, he was a family man. He adored his family and showered them with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Marion (Merritt) Buchmann. They were married on November 30, 1952 and were blessed with over 62 years of happiness together. He also leaves his four loving children, Betty G. Glynn and her husband, Michael, of Scottsdale, AZ, Larry E. Buchmann and his wife, Maria, of Chicopee, Sally D. Simons and her husband, Scott, of Ellsworth, ME and Gregory J. Buchmann and his wife, LuRee, of Sterling Heights, MI; his five cherished grandchildren, Nathan and Gretchen Glynn, Courtnie James and her husband, Dave, Currin Walz and her husband, Tim, and Katie Sicard and her husband, Nick; his four cherished great-grandchildren, Roman and Weston James and Soraya and Arianna Walz; his two dear brothers, James Buchmann of Madison, MN and Darrell Buchmann and his wife, Cindy, of Cable, WI; his dear sister, Ruth Jean Skallerud of Madison, MN; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Buchmann and Merritt families. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his three sisters, Genevieve, Betty and Diane. His relatives and friends are invited to attend a visiting hour on Saturday, January 17, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. with US Air Force Military Honors at the Lifepoint Church, 603 New Ludlow Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will be held at a later date. His funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that flowers be omitted and memorial donations be made in his memory to Hospice Life Care, 10 Hospital Drive, Holyoke, MA 01040 or to the Soldiers Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com