CHICOPEE – Rene R. Gemme, 78, of the Willimansett section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, March 5, 2015. He passed into Eternal Life from his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Manchester, Connecticut on October 21, 1936, a beloved son of the late Rene E. Gemme and Frances (Jackson) Gemme. He was raised in Deerfield and later lived in Westfield before moving to the Willimansett section of Chicopee in January of 1972. He was employed for many years in the shipping and receiving department at several Holyoke paper companies and retired from the Hazen Paper Company in Holyoke. During his leisure time, he and his wife, Irene, were avid motorcyclists and rode with several area biker clubs. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his loving stepson, David Batchelor who was Called Home on February 24, 2000; and his dear brother, Richard Gemme. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Irene M. (Fortier) Batchelor Gemme. They were married in Chicopee on March 26, 1977 and were blessed with 38 years of happiness together. He also leaves his 11 cherished stepchildren, William Batchelor Jr. and his wife, Connie, of Granby, Thomas Batchelor and his wife, Charlene, Dennis Batchelor, Steven Batchelor, and Richard Batchelor and his wife, Doreen, all of Chicopee, John Batchelor, Sr. and his wife, Lisa, of Southwick, Ann Volkers of Windsor Locks, CT, Robert Batchelor and Roger Batchelor, both of Chicopee, Ronald Batchelor and his wife, Dawn, of West Springfield, and Lawrence Batchelor of Chicopee; his 29 cherished grandchildren; his many cherished great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Gemme, Batchelor and Fortier families. His family would like to extend their thanks to Mercy Hospice and, most especially, his caregivers Donna and Joy for their assistance and compassionate care. His funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, March 11, 2015 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton 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 Notre Dame Cemetery, 63 Lyman Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com