CHICOPEE – Francis E. “Mike” Rousseau, Sr., 96, a longtime resident of Asinof Street in Chicopee, was Called Home on Thursday, April 16, 2020. He passed into Eternal Life at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke tragically from the COVID-19 Virus surrounded by the care and comfort of his wonderful caretakers and his fellow comrades-at-arms. He was born in Holyoke on August 8, 1923, a beloved son of the late Delphis and Marie (Metras) Rousseau. He was raised in Holyoke and attended Precious Blood Elementary School and Sacred Heart High School, both in Holyoke. He enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II and was assigned to the Norfolk Naval Air Station where he was trained to work on airplane engines. He was later sent to Aviation Mechanic School in Astoria, OR and, upon completion, was assigned to the Naval Air Wing #14 in San Diego, CA until the end of the war. He attained the rank of Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class and received the American Area Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. After returning home from the war, he enrolled in evening classes at Holyoke Trade School where he received his General Equivalency Diploma. He was employed as a machine operator at General Electric in Holyoke and Springfield, where he worked for 23 years until the closing of the plants. He was last employed for 14 years in the machine shop at Digital Equipment Company in Westfield until his retirement in 1986. He was a former communicant of Saint Anne Church and currently was a communicant of Holy Name of Jesus Parish at Assumption Church, both in Chicopee. He was a lifetime member at the Holyoke Lodge of Elks # 902 and the former Springdale Turn Hall in Holyoke where he played baseball and basketball for the Springdale Turners. He also enjoyed playing golf in his work and local leagues. He loved his many Cape Cod vacations with his wife and family where they spent a great deal of time in Dennisport. Above all, he was a loving man who enjoyed spending time with his family and his many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and soul mate, Eleanor B. (Phaneuf) Rousseau who was Called Home on October 23, 2010. They were married at the former Immaculate Conception Church in Holyoke on July 3, 1943 and were blessed with over 67 years of happiness together. He leaves his four loving children, Francis E. Rousseau, Jr. of Chicopee, Robert J. Rousseau and his wife, Jan, of Springfield, Bruce A. Rousseau and his wife, Ela, of Easthampton and Barbara Muldoon and her companion, Dana, of El Paso, TX; his seven cherished grandchildren, Brian Rousseau and his companion, Christine Perry, Scott Rousseau and his wife, Melissa, and Todd Rousseau and his companion, Cindy Hill, Kerry Socha and her husband, Chris, Jeffrey Rousseau and his wife, Megan, Christopher Rousseau and his wife, Zoe, and Michelle Rousseau and her companion, Brian; his seven cherished great-grandchildren, Adam and Alexandria Rousseau, Remy and Carly Socha, Taylor and Alison Rousseau and Leah Rousseau; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his loving daughter-in-law, Mary Ann “Terry” (Yelle) Rousseau who was Called Home on April 7, 2020; his two dear brothers, Leo Rousseau and his wife, Corrine, and Eugene Rousseau and his wife, Mabel; and his two dear sisters, Rose Norris and her husband, John, and Eva Judge and her husband, William. His family will receive friends on Sunday, October 17, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. which will be followed by a Prayer Service at 3 p.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot and main entrance of the funeral home are located in the rear at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Burial will be private. Please note that masks are required and social distancing must be observed. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Friends of the Soldiers’ Home, Inc., P.O. Box 1338, Holyoke, MA 01041 or the Shriners Hospital for Children, Please specify Springfield, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com