SOUTH HADLEY – Charles F. “Charlie” Ragoza, 82, a longtime resident of South Hadley, was Called Safely Home on Holy Saturday, April 4, 2015. He passed into Eternal Life at Linda Manor in Leeds surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Northampton on May 27, 1932, a beloved son of the late Frank Ragoza and Amelia (Bonderowicz) Ragoza. He was raised in the Leeds section of Northampton, graduated from Smith Vocational Trade High School and lived in the city for many years before moving to South Hadley in 1957. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and attained the rank of Airman Second Class. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. Following his military service, his early career began as an electrician working for various contractors in the Northampton area. In the 1960’s, he made a place for himself at M.L. Schmitt, Inc. in Springfield as a job superintendent, a position he held until he retired in 2004 completing many projects throughout Western Massachusetts. He was an active member and officer of the IBEW Local 710, later Local 36, which eventually became Local 7 in Springfield. He was one of the original directors of the Franklin Hampshire Building Trade Credit Union, which was merged into and now a part of Freedom Credit Union. He was also a former member of the Holyoke Elks and a member of the Board of Directors of the South Hadley Polish Club. He worked closely with Father Robert Wagner in the establishment of Jericho in Holyoke for the Diocese of Springfield. Most of all, he was a family man who showered his family with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Stasia M. (Sigda) Ragoza. They were married on June 22, 1957 at Mater Dolorosa Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 57 years of happiness together. He also leaves his four loving children, Susan A. Ragoza who was the “Light of his Life”, John F. Ragoza of Derry, NH, Michael A. Ragoza and his wife, Rita, of Madison, AL and Maryann Ragoza-Miller and her husband, Keith Miller, of Birmingham, AL, his loving former daughter-in-law, Karen Ragoza of Danvers; his five cherished grandchildren, Christopher, Jeffrey and Melissa Ragoza and Mallorie and Jocelyn Ragoza; his cherished great-granddaughter, Sophie Rose Paul; his two dear brothers-in-law and his dear sister-in-law, Eugene Sigda and his wife, Linda, of South Hadley, Dr. Fred Sigda of Evansville, IN and Alice Holst and her husband, Richard, of Camarillo, CA; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Ragoza and Sigda families. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his two dear brothers and two dear sisters, Walter Ragoza, Teddy Ragoza, Mary Mikuszki and Phyllis Montena. His funeral will be held on Friday morning, April 10, 2015 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 Patrick Church, 30 Main Street, South Hadley Falls, MA 01075. His burial with US Air Force Military Honors will follow the Mass at Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, 152 Pittroff Avenue, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, April 9, 2015 from 4 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 Jericho, PO Box 1039, Holyoke, MA 01041-1039. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com