CHICOPEE – Melvin P. Ogonowski, 75, of the Chicopee Falls section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on August 27, 1949, a beloved son of the late Stanley and Helen (Buczynski) Ogonowski. He was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee High School and was a lifelong resident of Chicopee Falls. He was employed for 50 years and retired as a Master Gunsmith for the Smith & Wesson Company in Springfield. During his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing in New England, gardening, working on guns, and Cruise Nights at the Moose Club in Chicopee. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed the former Springfield Indians now the Thunderbirds Hockey Team. He also enjoyed the Patriots, Bruins and the Red Sox. Most of all, he loved his family and his many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and soul mate, Patricia E. (Sawyer) Ogonowski who was Called Home on July 16, 2024. They were married on August 26, 1972 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 51 years of happiness together. He leaves his two loving and devoted daughters, Sarah J. Brandt and her husband, Paul Brandt Sr., of Monson and Jessica M. Picard and her husband, Geoffrey Picard, of Chicopee; his six cherished grandchildren, Karly Dunn and her partner, Julius Santos, Paul Brandt Jr. and his partner, Abigail Parent, Olivia Dunn and her partner, Kali Spacek, Olivia Brandt, Erin Dunn, and Lillian Picard; his cherished great-grandson, Brayden Parent; his sister, Theresa LaBombard of Brimfield; his dear sisters-in-law, Patricia Walker and her partner, Donald Allen, of Springfield and Jacqueline Bothelo of Rumford, RI; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended family members. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his dear sisters-in-law, Mary Cochran and Linda Sawyer; and his dear brother-in-law, William Bothelo. His relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. followed by a Celebration Service at 5 p.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will be private at the convenience of the family. 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 Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101-6307. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
