WEST SPRINGFIELD – Raphael Remillard, 80, of West Springfield was Called Safely Home on Saturday, April 28, 2012. He passed into Eternal Life surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Saint Raphael de Bellechasse, Province of Quebec, Canada on July 27, 1931, a beloved son of the late Willie and Augustine (Vermette) Remillard. In 1952, he settled in the North End section of Springfield where he lived for many years before moving to West Springfield in 1979. He was a self-employed mason contractor for many years and had last worked at Hazen Paper Company in Holyoke. During his leisure time, he enjoyed watching wrestling and he especially enjoyed cultivating his flower and vegetable garden. He was a loving man, who adored his family and showered them with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. Active in his faith, he was a communicant of the former Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Springfield where he was a member of their League of the Sacred Heart. He was currently a communicant of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in West Springfield. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Georgette R. (Lampron) Remillard. They were married on August 20, 1955 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 56 years of happiness together. He also leaves: his loving daughters, Therese Y. Quirion of West Springfield, Doris M. Beauregard-Shecrallah and her husband, John, of Wilbraham, Diane M. Warner and her husband, Doug, of Haydenville, MA, and Claire M. Remillard of Chicopee; his seven cherished grandchildren, Scott Quirion, Eric Beauregard and his wife, Kristina, Chantal Angelica and her husband, Richard, Daniel Shecrallah, Jennifer Kawalec, Sean Riopel and Nicole Ulich and her husband, Daniel; his three cherished great-grandchildren, Jessica and Jeremy Kawalec, and Layla Ulich; his extended family members including his dear brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; and many nephews and nieces. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by eight siblings. His funeral will be held on Friday morning, May 4, 2012 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, 63 Pine Street, West Springfield, MA 01089. His burial will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery, 292 Hampden Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, May 3, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 59 Bobala Road, Holyoke, MA 01040. For our online obituary and guest book,please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com