SPRINGFIELD – George E. “Red” Liebel, 95, a longtime resident of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. 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 October 23, 1917, a beloved son of the late Francis and Mary (McCarthy) Liebel. He was raised and schooled in Springfield and was a lifelong resident of the city. Red served his country in the United States Army with Troop A, 121st Calvary Reconn Squadron during World War II and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served in the battles of Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the American Defense Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, and a Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in action against the enemy. Following his military service, he returned to Springfield and continued his trade as a meat cutter. He was well known in the Hungry Hill neighborhood and was the longtime owner of Red’s Meat Market which was located at Newbury and Liberty Streets and later at Armory and Carew Streets. He later was employed at Stop and Shop, Big Y, Pathmark and Lewis Beef and worked past the age of 80 before deciding to retire. Active in his faith, Red was a lifelong communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife of 67 years, Helen R. (Murphy) Liebel who was Called Home on February 8, 2013. He leaves his loving sisters, Margaret “Peggy” McAuliffe of South Hadley and Ann Garreffi of Springfield; his loving sister-in-law, Edith M. Costello of Holyoke; and his many cherished nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces. Besides his wife and parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brothers and sister, Francis, Charles, Daniel, John, and Grace Liebel. His funeral will be held on Monday morning, May 13, 2013 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His burial with Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Jerome Cemetery, Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, May 13, 2013 from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. before the Mass. As Red received such loving care from the Holyoke Soldiers Home, his family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Holyoke Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com