CHICOPEE – Thaddeus “Ted” Nalepa, 97, a longtime resident of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, July 9, 2015. He passed into Eternal Life at the Centegra Hospital in McHenry, Illinois surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on July 6, 1918, a beloved son of the late Stanley and Anna (Rybak) Nalepa and was raised on Vienna Street in Ludlow. Following his marriage on November 24, 1945, Ted and his late wife, Marcy, moved to the Willimansett section of Chicopee. Around 1955, they moved to Bardon Street in the Aldenville section of Chicopee where they raised their son and lived for many years. In September of 2003, he moved to Crystal Lake, Illinois to live with his son and daughter-in-law, Stan and Margaret and their family. Ted proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Coast Guard and attained the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate First Class. Following his military service, he returned to the area and was employed as an Aircraft Mechanic at Flight Enterprises in Windsor Locks, CT. He later was employed at Kaman Aerospace in Bloomfield, CT and had last been employed at the US Postal Bulk Mail Center in Indian Orchard. During his leisure time, Ted enjoyed woodworking, polka music, and playing cards with his family.Most of all, he was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years, Marcella L. “Marcy” (Dzwonkoski) Nalepa who was Called Home on October 7, 2001. He leaves his devoted son and daughter-in-law, Stanley M. Nalepa and his wife, Margaret, of Crystal Lake, IL; his three cherished grandchildren, Christina A. Nalepa, Michelle C. Nalepa, and Stephen M. Nalepa; his two dear sisters, Claire Parylak of Ludlow and Mary Karczmarczyk; his dear sister-in-law of the Dzwonkoski family, Mildred Frazier of Orlando, FL; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Nalepa and Dzwonkoski families. Besides his wife and parents, he was also predeceased by his dear sister, Sophie Gebo; and his three dear brothers-in-law, Gene Gebo, Edward Parylak and Peter Karczmarczyk. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, July 16, 2015 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 56 Saint Anthony Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His burial with US Coast Guard Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, 800 Montgomery Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 from 4 p.m. to 7 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 Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 56 Saint Anthony Street, Chicopee, MA 01013 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, (please specify Springfield), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com