CHICOPEE – Delfo “Del” Barabani, 92, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. He passed into Eternal Life at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his comrades at arms. He was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on November 2, 1922, a beloved son of the late Eliseo and Lilia (Lotti) Barabani. He was raised in Pawtucket and moved to Holyoke in 1939 where he lived until moving to Chicopee in 1942. He served his country during World War II in the United States Army with the 497th Ordnance Motor Vehicle Assembly Company at Fort McPherson in Georgia where they assembled jeeps to be sent overseas. Following his military service, he came to Chicopee and was employed for many years at the former A. G. Spalding Company in Willimansett. He later worked for many years for the Sears & Roebuck Company in Holyoke, West Springfield and at the Ingleside Mall. Del was a devout Catholic and a communicant at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Willimansett where he was a Senior Altar Server, a Eucharistic Minister, an Usher and a Lector. He also served his parish as President of the Holy Name Society. Del was very active in the community and when he set his mind to something, it was usually accomplished. He was a member of the Holyoke Lodge of Elks for over 30 years, a 70 year member of the Willimansett American Legion Post 353, a member of the Moose Lodge 1849 in Chicopee, the Elder Council 69 Knights of Columbus, and the Father Daniel Doyle Assembly 2631 Knights of Columbus. He served in many leadership posts in both the Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Sons of Italy, the Italian Progressive Society and the Saint Patrick’s Parade Committee in Holyoke and Chicopee. He was the first Parade Marshall for the City of Chicopee. Del initiated the fireworks in Szot Park in 1992, played Santa Claus for the Chamber of Commerce and participated in numerous birthday parties at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. In his spare time, he was also a baseball and basketball coach and Scout Master for Troop 28. He frequented many of the local elementary schools where he taught flag etiquette and what it means to be an American. His last mission which he attended was accomplished on September 26, 2015 with the naming of Chicopee’s new Middle School in honor of First Sergeant Kevin Dupont. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Pauline S. (Roman) Barabani who was Called Home on May 13, 1978. They were married on September 6, 1942 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Willimansett. He leaves his four loving children, Delfo Barabani, Jr. and his wife, Elizabeth, and Christine P. Barabani, all of Chicopee, Anthony E. Barabani and his wife, Cheryl, of Kirtland, OH and Paul Barabani and his wife, Maryann, of Chicopee; his six cherished grandchildren, Wendy G. Franz and her husband, Jeffrey, Sarah D. Mulcahey and her husband, Kevin, Laura J. Rioux and her husband, Eric, Robert D. Barabani and his wife, Natalia, Adam Barabani and his wife, Diana, and David Barabani and his wife, Jessica; his twelve cherished great-grandchildren, Jared, Devon and Jordan Franz, Cade Mulcahey, Adrienne and Casey Rioux, Dominic Barabani, Timothy, Zachary and Amelia Barabani, and Sophia and Vivian Barabani; his loving sister, Delfa V. Magri of Decatur, GA, his longtime cherished companion, Joyce Cretien of Chicopee; his two dear nieces, Julie and Mary Magri; and his many friends. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by two dear brothers-in-law, Theodore Roman and Leo Magri; and his dear nephew, Gerard Magri. His family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke especially the staff in the comfort care unit for their compassionate care during his stay there. His funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, October 14, 2015 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 10 a.m.) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 56 Saint Anthony Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His burial with US Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at 2 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com