SOUTH HADLEY – Bernard A. “Bernie” Lemoine, 81, of South Hadley was Called Safely Home on Saturday, July 27, 2013. He passed into Eternal Life at Elaine Center at Hadley after being a paraplegic for over 43 years surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Ware, Massachusetts on June 23, 1932, a beloved son of the late Herve E. and Irene E. (Demers) Lemoine. His parents moved to the North End section of Springfield where he was raised. He graduated from the former Springfield Trade High School and lived in Springfield until 1972 when he and his family moved to South Hadley. He served his country in the United States Coast Guard during the Korean War, attaining the rank of Boatswain’s Mate Petty Officer Second Class and received the National Defense Service Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Springfield and was employed as a sheet metal worker for the Sheet Metal Workers Local 63 and worked for the E. J. O’Leary Company in Southampton. On December 11, 1969, Bernie was injured in a tragic accident while at work which resulted in him being paralyzed for the remainder of his life. Never ready to admit defeat, Bernie was a pioneer in rights for the disabled. He made numerous trips to the State House in Boston to lobby for equal rights for people with disabilities. He was a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America and a communicant of Saint Patrick Church in South Hadley. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his loving brother, Roger N. Lemoine who was Called Home on March 19, 1979 and his dear brother-in-law, Donald J. Tower who was Called Home on July 14, 2011. He leaves his devoted wife and best friend who remained by his side, Anne M. (Pratte) Lemoine. They were married on October 7, 1961 at the former Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 51 years of happiness together. He also leaves his devoted children, Pauline A. Jacek and her husband, Donald, of Hampden and Paul J. Lemoine and his wife, Katie, of South Hadley; his four cherished grandchildren, who were the “apple of his eye”, Benjamin and Colby Jacek, and Trevor and Travis Lemoine; his dear sisters-in-law, Joan Beaulieu and her husband, Robert and Jacqueline Tower, all of Ludlow; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended family members. His funeral will be held on Saturday morning, August 3, 2013 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale 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 Patrick Church, 30 Main Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. His burial with United States Coast Guard Honors will follow the Mass around 12 noon at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Greenwich Road, Ware, MA 01082. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, August 2, 2013 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. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to Soldier On, 421 North Main Street, Bldg. 6, Leeds, MA 01053. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com