EAST LONGMEADOW – Robert C. “Bob” Arcand, 72, of East Longmeadow, was Called Safely Home on Monday, February 23, 2015. He passed into Eternal Life from his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on December 7, 1942, a beloved son of the late Roy A. and Priscilla J. (Beauregard) Arcand. He was raised in Springfield, graduated in 1961 from the former Springfield Trade High School and lived in Springfield for many years before moving to East Longmeadow in 1969. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War as a Non Morse Code Intercept Operator and attained the rank of Airman First Class. Following his military service, he returned to Springfield and furthered his education and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Western New England College in Springfield. He began his 40 year employment as a Pipe Fitter and later a Mechanical Engineer at the Monsanto Chemical Company, which was later Solutia, in Indian Orchard. He was a member of the Springfield Lodge of Elks. During his leisure time, Bob enjoyed gardening, cooking, golf, billiards and crossword puzzles. He leaves his beloved wife, soul mate and best friend, Patricia G. (Richardson) Arcand. They were married on January 27, 1968 at Saint Justin Church in Hartford, CT and were blessed with 47 years of happiness together. Besides his wife, he leaves his loving daughters, Denise M. Gopin and her husband, H. Jeffrey, of East Longmeadow, Miami Dade Fire Department Captain Cheryl L. Arcand, of Hollywood, FL and Nicole R. Amore and her husband, Vincent, of Hartford, CT; his two cherished grandsons whom he adored, Adam Robert Arcand and Austin Jon Amore; his three step-grandsons, Adam, Seth and Joshua Gopin; his dear brother, Roy Arcand and his wife, Elsie, of Springfield; his dear sister, Marge Sarno and her husband, Gerard, of Camarillo, CA; his dear brother-in-law, Harry Richardson and his wife, Avis, of Glastonbury, CT; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the Arcand and Richardson families. His Funeral Service will be held on Monday morning, March 2, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.). His Committal with US Air Force Military Honors will follow the Service at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, March 1, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to Baystate Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, 150 Cambridge Park Drive, Suite 202, Cambridge, MA 02140. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com