SOUTH HADLEY – Joseph R. “Sonny” Nadeau, 83, of South Hadley, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, October 12, 2025. He passed into Eternal Life at Linda Manor Extended Care in Leeds surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on June 14, 1942, a beloved son of the late Paul E. and Etta C. (Daviau) Nadeau. He was raised in Holyoke, graduated Precious Blood High School in 1960 and lived in Chicopee before moving to South Hadley in 1972 where he lived the remainder of his life. He furthered his education and received an Associate’s Degree from Holyoke Community College. He served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Sonar Technician (Surface), Petty Officer Third Class. He was employed for 43 years at Acme Chain in Holyoke and later at US Tsubaki in Chicopee where he worked as a machine operator and later as a tool control technician, retiring in 2008. He was an active communicant of Saint Theresa of Lisieux Church in South Hadley where he served as a greeter, a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered his time making meals for Kate’s Kitchen at the Church. He enjoyed camping and was a member of the Pioneer Valley Chapter 8 Camping Club of the North American Family Campers Association. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Doris L. (Roy) Nadeau. They were married on October 5, 1963 at Precious Blood Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 62 years. He also leaves his two loving sons, Philip W. Nadeau and his wife, Candace, of Chicopee and Gary L. Nadeau and his wife, Julie, of Easthampton; his former daughter in law, Joan Murphy of Chicopee; his two cherished grandchildren, Ashlee and Benjamin Nadeau; his dear brother, Paul E. “Chip” Nadeau, Jr. and his wife, Joan, of Grafton; his three dear sisters, Julie M. Gonyer and her partner, Ann, of Granby, Mary Ann Corbeil and her husband, Peter, of Whittier, CA and Tina M. Plant and her husband, Edward, of Granby; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his loving infant son, Joseph Nadeau; and his cherished grandson, Bradlee J. Nadeau who was Called Home on April 27, 2022. His Funeral will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Saint Theresa of Lisieux Church, 9 East Parkview Avenue, South Hadley, MA 01075. His Committal Service with United States Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, October 19, 2025 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The funeral home parking lot is located in the rear. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Bradlee J. Nadeau Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o 40 Campbell Drive, Easthampton, MA 01027. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com