CHICOPEE ~ Emil F. Podkowka, 89, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, May 12, 2019. He passed into Eternal Life at his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving wife. He was born in Warren, Massachusetts on March 20, 1930, a beloved son of the late John S. and Mary Anna (Sczcpanek) Podkowka. He was raised in Warren and later lived in Granby before moving to Chicopee in 1973 where he lived the remainder of his life. He previously owned and operated the former Emil's Automotive on New Ludlow Road in Chicopee and then worked as a truck driver for Speedline Express in Springfield. He was last employed for 20 years as a mechanic at Chet's Auto Wrecking on Page Boulevard in East Springfield and retired in 1992. He enjoyed spending time on the golf course, woodworking and going shopping at BJ's with his good buddies, Val and Freddie. He was known by everyone in Chicopee as the “Candyman” as he always had a large pocket full of candy to give to everyone that he came in contact with. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Anne Marie D. (Benoit) Podkowka. They were married on April 21, 1991 in Chicopee and were blessed with over 28 years of happiness together. He also leaves his three loving daughters, Brenda Cooper of Ware and Anne Marie Podkowka and Tanya Podkowka, both of England; his cherished grandchildren, Jamie, Danny and Charlene Podkowka, all of England; his two cherished great-granddaughters, Allysha and Hannah Abbott; his cherished great-great-grandson, Jonathan Abbott; his dear brother-in-law, David Benoit and his wife, Dorothy, of Chicopee; his two dear sisters-in-law, Susan Donze and her husband, Robert, and Theresa Benoit and her partner, Armand Joly, all of Chicopee; his special niece, Jennifer Izatt and her husband, Michael, of South Hadley; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the family. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his beloved granddaughter, Jennifer Abbott who was Called Home in 1997; his great-great-granddaughter, Emily Abbott; his three dear brothers, Stanley, Adam and Edward Podkowka; and his dear sister, Anna Moryl. His Funeral will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019 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 11 a.m. in Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Burial will follow the Mass at Notre Dame Cemetery, 63 Lyman Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, May 17, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or the Holyoke VNA and Hospice Life Care, 575 Beech Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com