CHICOPEE – Robert D. “Bob” Rivest, 85, a longtime resident of the Willimansett section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, June 7, 2013. He passed into Eternal Life at The Suffield House in Suffield, Connecticut surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born at home on Chicopee Street in Willimansett on August 13, 1927, a beloved son of the late George and Celina (Durand) Rivest. He was raised in Willimansett, graduated from Chicopee High School and was a lifelong resident of the city. He served his country during World War II in the United States Army Air Force with the 337th Air Service Group 577th Air Material Squadron and attained the rank of Corporal. He received the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Chicopee and married his high school sweetheart, Jean A. (Bourque) Rivest, and they were blessed with 50 years of happiness together before she was Called Home on May 26, 1998. Bob was employed for over 31 years at the former Strathmore Paper Company in Westfield and retired as a cost accountant in 1996. During his leisure time, he enjoyed music, dancing, golf and his frequent family trips to Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island. He was an avid New York Giants fan and a Card Carrying Member of the “Dewar’s Clan”. He was a communicant of the former Saint Mary Church in Willimansett. Most of all, Bob was a family man who showered his family with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. Besides his beloved wife, he was also predeceased by his parents; his dear brothers and sisters, Pete, Charlie and Ray, Alma, Jean, Laura, Rita, Doris and Annette; and his dear brothers-in-law of the Bourque family, Rene Martineau and Gerald Bourque. He leaves his three loving daughters, Nancy Saunders and her husband, Brian, of Enfield, CT, Carol Friedrich and her husband, Mark, of the Feeding Hills section of Agawam and Susan Rivest-Savini of Germantown, MD; his five cherished grandchildren, Shannon Saunders, Jessica and Alexander Friedrich, Kristina Wosczyna and her husband, Bryan, and Katharine Yi and her husband, Seung; his many dear nephews and nieces; and his extended members of the Bourque family, Judith Martineau, Dorothy Silva and her husband, Ed, and Pauline Bourque, all of Chicopee. His Visiting Hours, Funeral Service with Air Force Military Honors and Burial will be private for his family. In lieu of flowers, his family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimers Association, 264 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com