CHICOPEE – Eric Szulc, 82, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on his birthday Sunday, January 3, 2016. He passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Skroda Wielka, Poland, on January 3, 1934, a beloved son of the late Walter and Mary (Chutkowski) Szulc. He came to Springfield in the early 1940’s. He served in the Massachusetts State National Guard and later in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of Sergeant. After graduating from the former Classical High School in Springfield, he received a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education from the former Westfield State Teachers College. He taught for 35 years in the City of Springfield, primarily at the Alfred G. Zanetti School. He was a member of the Chicopee Lodge of Elks 1849 and the American Legion. His children and his grandchildren were his proudest achievements. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend of 54 years, Carol A. (Balthazar) Szulc; his three loving children, Michael E. Szulc and his wife, Diane, Paula M. Szulc, and Laurie J. Murray and her husband, Frank; his eight cherished grandchildren, Erica, Paul, and Calvin Szulc; Erica and Lauren Dominguez; and Frankie, Kelly, and Michael Murray; his two dear sisters, Jean Smith of Maryland and Barbara Iazzetti and her husband, Armando, of Florida; and many dear extended members of the Szulc and Balthazar families. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, January 7, 2016 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 Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, 800 Montgomery Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, January 7, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. before the Mass. 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 Lodge of Elks 1849 Scholarship Fund, 431 Granby Road, Chicopee, MA 01013. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com