CHICOPEE – Richard J. “Dick” Foote, 77, of the Fairview section of Chicopee was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, August 15, 2012. He was born in Coeymans, New York on May 14, 1935, a beloved son of the late John V. Foote and Mabel M. (Rivers) Foote Bruggemann. At a young age, his family moved to Holyoke, Massachusetts where he was raised and as a youngster enjoyed swimming in the Holyoke Canals. He then returned to Owls Head, New York where he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country during the Korean War. He attained the rank of Airman 2nd Class and received the National Defense Service Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Holyoke before settling in the Fairview section of Chicopee in 1967. He was employed for many years at the former Fisk Tire and Rubber Company which later became the Uniroyal Corporation in Chicopee. He later was employed as a maintenance engineer at Holyoke Hospital and also worked at the Milton Bradley Company in East Longmeadow. Dick was an avid sports fan and enjoyed the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee and a member of the Fairview American Legion Post 438. 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. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Sylvia Carol (Larche) Foote who was Called Home on December 23, 2007. They were married on June 15, 1957 at Notre Dame Church in Malone, New York and were blessed with over 50 years of happiness together. He was also predeceased by his beloved son, Gary W. Foote who was Called Home on June 23, 1988; and his cherished grandson, Kevin Foote who was Called Home in January of 2012. He leaves: his loving children, Cheryl M. Goulet and her husband, Adrien, of Chicopee, Bruce A. Foote of Woodbridge, VA, Brenda A. Pernell and her husband, David, of Chicopee and Lisa J. Miner and her husband, John, of Ludlow; his 15 cherished grandchildren; his 16 cherished great-grandchildren; his two sisters, Joan Peloquin of Southampton, MA and Laura Brouillard of North Carolina; his brother; Albert Rivers of Florida; and his many nephews and nieces. He also leaves many friends including his close friends, Ken and Barbara Belanga, of Owls Head, NY. His funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, August 22, 2012 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels (413-533-3307), 506 Britton 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 Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with Military Honors will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home.