CHICOPEE – Andrew R. “Butch” LaRosa, 68, of the Aldenville section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, February 18, 2015. He passed into Eternal Life from his home after a courageous battle with ALS surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Holyoke on May 30, 1946, a beloved son of the late Andrew A. and Cecile M. (Manning) LaRosa. He was raised in Holyoke, graduated from Holyoke High School and lived in the city for many years before moving to the Aldenville section of Chicopee in 1968. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Specialist Fourth Class. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Service Bars and the Marksman Rifle Badge. Following his military service, he moved to the Aldenville section of Chicopee and was employed as a Chemical Specialist for the former Scott Graphics, which later became James River Graphics, Intelicoat, and finally Rexam Graphics in South Hadley. He was a former member of the Tigers Athletic Club in Chicopee Falls. During his leisure time, Butch bowled for many years at the Holyoke Bowl-O-Drome, which later was the Fun Time Lanes in Holyoke. He enjoyed playing his favorite card games including Pitch, Fantasy Sports and Texas Hold-em. Most of all, he was a wonderful husband, father, and brother who adored his family and showered them with his love and affection, which was returned to him a thousand fold. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Carol A. (Bodzioch) LaRosa who was Called Home on April 27, 1999. He leaves his four devoted children, David A. LaRosa and his wife, Kristine, of Chicopee, Ann M. LaRosa and her partner, Jeffrey A. Stellato, with whom he lived in Chicopee; Christine L. Raymond and her partner, Allen Caron, of Chicopee and Kevin J. LaRosa and his wife, Christina, of West Springfield; his seven cherished grandchildren, Brian LaRosa and Kayla LaRosa, ToniAnn Galanis and Matthew Stellato and Zachary Raymond, Jacob Raymond, and Carolyn Raymond; and his cherished great-granddaughter, McKenzie Dumais. Butch will be watching the birth of his eighth cherished grandchild from the Heavenly Kingdom this coming summer. In addition, he leaves his loving sister, Linda Barry of Holyoke; his two loving brothers-in-law of the Bodzioch family, Gary Bodzioch and his wife, Kathy, of Wales, MA and Kenneth Bodzioch and his wife, Joanne, of Medford, NJ; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends, and extended members of the LaRosa and Bodzioch families. Besides his parents and his wife, he was also predeceased by his loving brother-in-law, Jerry Barry. His funeral will be held on Monday morning, February 23, 2015 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 with US Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, February 22, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 5 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 the ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter, 315 Norwood Park South, 1st Floor, Norwood, MA 02062. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com