CHICOPEE – William M. “Billy” Boisvere, 90, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, February 21, 2025. He passed into Eternal Life at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Home at Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his comrades-at-arms. He was born in Holyoke on August 26, 1934, a beloved son of the late Henry J. Boisvere, Sr. and Jeannette I. (Wing) Boisvere. He was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee Vocational High School and was a lifelong resident of the city. He served his country during the Korean War in the United States Air Force, attained the rank of Airman First Class and received the National Defense Service Medal. In 1952, Billy joined the Army Air Corps and attended basic training at Sampson Air Base in New York. Upon graduation, he became a member of the USAF, Airman Third Class. He proceeded to Francis E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, WY for one year of training; this was the same base that his father had been stationed during World War I. All six of his brothers served in the military as well. While serving, Billy was stationed in Florida, Washington, DC, Sondrestrom, Bruns Island, and Thule AFB, all in Greenland, where he had two secret deployments as a powerman and manned a remote outpost during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1960. He was the General Manager for 14 years at Holyoke Equipment, Inc., then was the Facilities Manager Windsor, CT Public School Department, and was last the co-owner from 1974-1984 with his wife, Elaine, of the former Billy, Inc. in Chicopee. He was a member of the Chicopee Lodge of Elks No. 1849, the Moose Family Center, a life member of the Aldenville American Legion Post 337, the Masonic Lodge, the Chicopee Sportsman’s Club, and the Tigers Athletic Club, all in Chicopee, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, the Korean War Veterans Chapter 2000, the National Rifle Association, and a charter member of the Western Mass. Yacht Club in South Hadley. He was a longtime communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee. He enjoyed traveling and the many family vacations to Salisbury Beach. In September of 2017, Billy was honored to have been selected to participate in Honor Flight. His grandson, Dan, accompanied him on this historic trip to Washington, DC. His cousin and lifelong best friend, Robert Boisvert, was also selected to attend this trip and was accompanied by Billy’s daughter, Pam. Billy described this day in Washington as an unforgettable experience. Most of all, he was a hard working man who loved his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Elaine V. (Tanguay) Boisvere. They were married on November 20, 1954 at Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 70 years of happiness together. He also leaves his three loving daughters, Pamela A. Quirk and her husband, Kevin, of Palmer, Debra L. Mielke and her husband, Charles, of Bernardston, and Robin A. Carvide and her husband, Mario, of Chicopee; his nine cherished grandchildren, Mathew Quirk and his partner, Heidi, Daniel Quirk, Erica Mielke and her partner, Angel, Tara Stone her husband, Josh, Alyssa Mielke and her partner, Gabe, Emma Mielke, John Bauman and his wife, Shayna, Kali Carvide, and Abby Carvide; his thirteen cherished great grandchildren, Madison, Lincoln, Sebastian, Gavin and his partner, Ella, Avery, triplets: Dean, Jake, and Gwen, Bryson, Nellie, Xander, Chosen, and Glo; his two dear sisters-in-law, Eileen Boisvere of Belchertown, and Claire Georges of East Longmeadow; his five special godchildren, Lisa, Karen, Sally, Susie, and Joe; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended family members. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his dear sister, Marian Streiberg and her husband, Carl; and his six dear brothers, Thomas Boisvere, Walter Boisvere and his wife, Connie, Alfred Boisvere and his wife, Florence, Henry Boisvere, Jr. and his wife, Georgette, Franklin Boisvere and his wife, Patricia, and Richard Boisvere and his wife, Frances. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and volunteers at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Home at Holyoke for the care and compassion they gave to Billy and the family. His family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:30 a.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Celebration Service at 1 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family requests that memorial donations be made in Billy's memory to the Massachusetts Veterans’ Home at Holyoke, Recreation Fund, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
