CHICOPEE - Joseph H. Dulude, 87, of the Ferry Lane section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, August 31, 2024. He passed into Eternal Life at the Veterans' Home at Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family, his wonderful caregivers and his comrades-at-arms. He was born at home in Chicopee on February 26, 1937, a beloved son of the late Raymond and Bella Florence (Thompson) Dulude. He was raised in Chicopee and was a lifelong resident of the city. He served his country in the United States Army and attained the rank of Specialist 4th Grade. Following his military service, he returned to A.G. Spalding Company in Willimansett where he was employed for 42 years as a Millwright and retired in September of 1992. During his leisure time, Joe enjoyed puttering around his home working on his various projects. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife to various destinations. He was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee where he was a longtime usher for his parish. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Ruth C. (Valcourt) Dulude. They were married on July 11, 1959 at the former Saint Patrick Church in Chicopee Falls and were blessed with over 65 years of happiness together. He also leaves his loving and devoted daughters, Denise A. Dulude and her fiancé, Richard E. Murphy Jr., of Granby, Anne T. Blanchet and her husband, Michael, of Granby, and Sandra J. Bailey and her husband, Todd, of Chicopee; his six cherished grandchildren, Rebecca Tuttle and her husband, Matthew, Maeghan Gouvin and her husband, Ryan, Michael Blanchet and his fiancée, Coryssa, Tiffany Texeira and her husband, Christopher, Jordan Bailey and his partner, Nicky, and Lauren Bailey and her partner, Cody; his 13 cherished great grandchildren, his dear sister-in-law, Loretta Goldrick of Chicopee; his dear brother-in-law, George Monte of Monson; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended family members. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his loving infant daughter, Suzanne Marie Dulude; his cherished granddaughter, Gina Lynn Degray who was Called Home on April 11, 2017; his three dear sisters, Theresa Roberts and her husband, William, Jeanne Menard and her husband, Lawrence, and Shirley Fournier and her husband, Harvey; his dear brother, Wilfred Delude and his two wives, Jessie and Gloria. His funeral will be held on Monday morning, September 9, 2024 from the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels (413-532-9806), 13 Dale 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 Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 594 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will follow the Mass with United States Army Military Honors at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, September 8, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Veterans’ Home at Holyoke 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
