SPRINGFIELD – Emile Michel Labonte, 73, of the North End section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, September 12, 2013. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after a valiant battle with cancer surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family who were his wonderful caregivers. He was born at home in Saint Raphael de Bellechasse, Province of Quebec, Canada, on November 5, 1939, the youngest child of the late George and Maria (Thibault) Labonte. He was raised in Saint Raphael de Bellechasse and moved to Springfield in 1963, where he lived in the North End section of the city. Emile was a well-known Mason Contractor in the city for many years, working for Adrien Boucher and Denis Dion Mason Contractors. During his leisure time at his home, Emile enjoyed the simple things in life that he learned from his native Canada by raising pigeons, rabbits and exotic birds. As an avid outdoorsman and member of the Chicopee Sportsman’s Club, Emile enjoyed hunting, fishing, and all kinds of outdoor sports. He was always ready for deer season and enjoyed returning to his beloved Canada during moose hunting season. He was a communicant of the former Saint Thomas Aquinas Church on Waverly Street in Springfield and a member of the Knights of Columbus Elder Council 69 in Chicopee. Emile was truly a family man who showered his family and friends with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. He leaves his devoted children, Denis G. Labonte of Chicopee and Danna M. (Labonte) George of Squantum, MA; his four cherished grandchildren whom he adored, Amanda Labonte, Devon Labonte, Stephen Cameron George, and Lauren George; his cherished longtime companion and soul mate, Denise Tremblay of Chicopee; his dear brothers, Roger Labonte and his wife, Carmen Goupil, and Jean Labonte, all of Canada; his dear sisters, Eva, Emma, Simone, Jeanne, and Gisele Labonte, all of Canada; his dear sister-in-law, Cecile Verreault of Canada; and his many dear nephews, nieces and cousins. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brother and his dear sisters, Maurice Labonte, and Rose and Albertine Labonte. His funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, September 18, 2013 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial 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, September 17, 2013 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is 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 the Shriners Hospital for Children, (Specify Springfield), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to sign our funeral home guest book, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com