WEST SPRINGFIELD – Richard E. Perry, 89, of West Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, October 26, 2023. He passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in West Springfield on June 22, 1934, a beloved son of the late Charles E. and Irene M. (Lafond) Perry. He was raised in West Springfield, graduated from West Springfield High School and lived in West Springfield his entire life. For the next three years after high school, he attended the Stigmatine Seminary in Wellesley. He later furthered his education and received a Bachelor’s Degree from the Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee and a Master’s Degree from Westfield State College. He was employed as a Teacher for 35 years with the Suffield, Connecticut School Department and retired in 1991. He was a communicant of the former Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee where he was also a member of the Assumption Folk Group. He currently was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. During his leisure time, he enjoyed spending time at the family camp at Lake Wyola and visiting Maine with his family. He was a member of the Golden Blue Ribbon Singers in West Springfield and he also sang with The Shades of Blue with his grandson, Joe. He was always willing to help his children and grandchildren. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Anita M. (Lussier) Perry. They were married on June 29, 1963 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 60 years of happiness together. He also leaves his three loving children, Michael R. Perry and his wife, Cali, of West Springfield, Denise M. Ninneman of Charlotte, NC and David L. Perry and his wife, Shauna, of Wilbraham; his five cherished grandchildren, Joseph Perry and his fiance, José Cueto, Matthew and Kevin Ninneman, and Ella and Owen Perry; his three cherished step grandchildren, Shannon, Meghan and Lauren Brassil; his dear sister, Kathryn Duclos of Agawam; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his four dear brothers, Robert, Donald, John and Gerald Perry. His Funeral will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023 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 10:45 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, November 6, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. prior to his Mass. The funeral home parking lot in located in the rear. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com