CHICOPEE – Donald W. Gagne, 82, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2014. He passed into Eternal Life at Wingate at South Hadley surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born at home on Olivine Street in the Willimansett section of Chicopee on August 12, 1932, a beloved son of the late William H. and Cecile (Allard) Gagne. He was raised in Willimansett, graduated in 1949 from Cathedral High School in Springfield and moved to Fairview in 1959 where he lived for the remainder of his life. During his younger years, he was employed as a delivery man for the former LaFlamme Oil Company in Chicopee. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country during the Korean War attaining the rank of Electrician’s Mate Second Class. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Medal, the China Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Chicopee and became a firefighter for the City of Chicopee. He served at Station 5 in Willimansett and then went to Station 8 in Fairview where he retired after 31 years of service to the city. He was also a driver for many years for the Sweeney Brothers Transportation Company in Chicopee. Don was active in the community and was a member and former treasurer for the Chicopee Fire and Police Association, a member of the Massachusetts Fire and Police Association, a member of the Chicopee Lodge of Elks 1849 and a member of the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus. Active in his Catholic faith, he was a former member of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Willimansett and currently a longtime communicant of Saint Anne Church in Fairview. Don 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 childhood sweetheart, beloved wife and best friend, Una M. (Plante) Gagne. They were married on January 15, 1955 at the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Willimansett and were blessed with over 59 years of happiness together. He also leaves his loving children, Lois A. Gagne of Chicopee, and David D. Gagne of the Florence section of Northampton; his cherished granddaughter, Kristina Steffenhagen and her husband, Nathan, of Holyoke; and his cherished great-granddaughters whom he adored, Estella and Sienna Steffenhagen; his dear sister, Janet C. Moynihan of Holyoke; and several nephews, nieces, cousins, many friends and extended members of the Gagne and Plante families. His funeral will be held on Friday morning, September 5, 2014 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton 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 Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will follow the Mass with US Navy Military Honors at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, September 4, 2014 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com