CHICOPEE – Ret. Chicopee Deputy Fire Chief James R. Montcalm, 79, of Chicopee, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, May 29, 2015. He was born in Holyoke on July 24, 1935, the son of the late Russell and Eleanor (McLaughlin) Montcalm. Jim attended Holyoke schools and STCC, graduating with an Associate Degree in Fire Science. He was an Air Force veteran, serving in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Jim retired as a Deputy Chief of the Chicopee Fire Department, after 35 years of service. He served on the Chicopee Retirement Board for 19 years, was a member of the American Legion Post 452 and was a life member of the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus. Jim was an avid Red Sox, Patriots and Giants fan. During his leisure time, Jim and his wife Ruth traveled extensively and were memebers of the American Bosch Travel Club in Chicopee. He enjoyed his family, his trips to Cape Cod and the casino, playing cards with his family and many friends and enjoying an occasional beer with his buddies. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee and Jericho in Holyoke. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend of 55 years, Ruth (Windoloski) Montcalm; his son, James M. Montcalm and his partner, Lisa Giroux; his daughters, Karen Beaudry and her husband, Darryn and Susan Crevier; his eight grandchildren, Sarah Walsh and her husband, Martin, Kimberly Gallant and her husband, Kristopher, Daniel Montcalm, Nicole Crevier, Michael Beaudry, Ashley Montcalm and her husband, Aske, Paul Crevier and Ian Kinsella; his cherished great-granddaughter, Raegan Walsh; and his sister, Lillian Mackin of Scranton, PA. In addition, Jim leaves two brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law; and many nephews and nieces. Jim leaves many dear friends and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, June 4, 2015 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 Chicopee Fire Department and US Air Force Honors will follow the Mass at Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, 152 Pittroff Avenue, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 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 Chicopee Firefighters Scholarship Fund, PO Box 373, Chicopee, MA 01014-0373 or to Jericho, PO Box 1039, Holyoke, MA 01041-1039. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com