CHICOPEE – Alfred J. Lavigne, 87, of the Aldenville section of Chicopee was Called Safely Home on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012. He passed into Eternal Life at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born at home in the Aldenville section of Chicopee on December 6, 1924, a beloved son of the late Homer and Rhea (Desmarais) Lavigne and was a lifelong resident of Aldenville. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and attained the rank of Gunner’s Mate Second Class. He received the American Theatre Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal with one star, the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal with one star and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Chicopee and was employed for over 37 years and retired as a night foreman at the former Fisk Tire and Rubber Company which later became Uniroyal in Chicopee. Upon his return from the service, Alfred built a new home which was the pride of a lifetime. He enjoyed working with his hands and was often seen puttering around his home working on different projects. He truly enjoyed Christmas and was well known for his fabulous outdoor lighting displays and decorations which were admired by many people over the past 50 years. During his leisure time, he enjoyed golf and was often seen at many local golf courses with his many friends. He was a member of the Fisk Foreman’s Club and a longtime communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Aldenville. He was a quiet man who adored his family and showered them with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Lorraine M. (Cardin) Lavigne. They were married on January 22, 1949 at the former Immaculate Conception Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 63 years of happiness together. He also leaves his loving children, Richard D. Lavigne of Chicopee, Barbara A. Cosenzi of Southwick and Darlene M. Sattler and her husband, Jeffrey of South Hadley; his eight cherished grandchildren who affectionately called him “Pepere”, Lauren and Julia Lavigne, Richard Miskiv, Rebecca Walsh and her husband, Sean, Christy Sattler, Ashley Kohl, her husband, Andrew and Scott and Douglas Sattler; his three cherished great-grandchildren, Ryan and Maya Walsh and Summer Kohl; his brother, Robert Lavigne and his wife, Sheila of Chicopee; and his many nephews and nieces. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his brother, Donald Lavigne; and his sisters, Doris Cabana, Rita Fortin and Mildred Calvanese. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, November 29, 2012 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with Military Honors will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Because of the exceptional care Alfred received, his family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Holyoke Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040.