HOLYOKE – Eugene J. “Gene” Parent, 81, of Holyoke, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, December 27, 2014. He passed into Eternal Life from his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born at the old Chicopee Hospital in the Aldenville section of Chicopee, on September 27, 1933, a beloved son of the late Alexander H. and Eva (Bellemore) Parent. He was raised in Chicopee and moved to Holyoke in 1965. He was a proud employee for over 36 years at the former Technicarbon Company located in Holyoke and then Springfield, retiring in 1996. Gene was a former member of the Holyoke Deaf Athletic Club and currently a member of the Baystate Deaf Senior Citizens, the Central Mass Deaf Senior Citizens and a communicant with the ICDA/ Ministry for the Deaf at Mary, Mother of Hope Church in East Springfield. Gene’s favorite teams were the Cleveland Browns and Indians and the New England Patriots. He was always ready to watch a good boxing match and he was also known to watch bowling on Saturday mornings in spite of his children wanting to watch cartoons. Despite being deaf, Gene had a positive outlook on life. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother who was always ready to help anyone. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Antoinette (Gugliotti) Parent. They were married in Springfield on March 6, 1968 and were blessed with over 46 years of happiness together. Besides his wife, he leaves his loving children, Sandra A. Bessonette and her husband, Homer, of Ware, Ronald J. Eichstaedt, Jr. and his wife, Lucy, of Chicopee, and Kurt H. Eichstaedt and his partner, Wendy Gewinner, of Ware; his cherished nephew and godson, Joseph A. Karnolisz of West Springfield and his partner, Wendy Karnolisz; his cherished grandchildren, Anthony Eichstaedt, Justin Bessonette, Krystal Eichstaedt, Rev. Trinidad Trancoso and her husband, Rey, Savannah Rosado and Joshua Gewinner; his cherished great-granddaughter, Jasmine Poulin; his dear sister, Marie Karnolisz of Ludlow; and his several dear nieces. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brother, Paul Parent; and his dear sister, Doris Jamrog. His relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, January 2, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at 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. There are no visiting hours. His funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Ministry with the Deaf, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com