CHICOPEE – Joseph “Joe” Elliott Longworth, 80, a former longtime resident of Springfield and currently a resident of the Fairview section of Chicopee, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. He is survived by his wife, Françoise; his two sons, Eric Kauffmann and Thierry Longworth; his daughter, Valerie Longworth Bourdon and her husband, Alain Bourdon; his daughter, Patricia Longworth Modjeski and her husband, Daniel “Aaron” Modjeski. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Jason, Matthew and Jessie Kauffman and Nicole and Joseph Longworth; and his sisters-in-law, Jeannette Berg and Collette Kauffmann. Joseph was a loving husband, father and friend who enjoyed golfing with fellow firefighters. He was also a skilled table tennis player who participated in a variety of tournaments through the years, including the local and National Senior Games. Joseph began his career as an Air Force Firefighter in 1954 and served at bases in locations as diverse as Bermuda and Alaska. He was stationed in France when he met his wife Françoise. In 1963, Joseph was a firefighter and rescueman aboard the Kamen HH-43B Helicopter while stationed at Toul-Rosieres Air Base, France. Joseph transferred to Westover Air Force Base in January of 1965. At that time, the 72 man fire department was not only charged with protecting the B-52 bombers, KC-135 fuel tankers and dozens of military buildings, but 1,500 units of family housing as well. In September 1974, he retired from the military when Westover became an Air Force Reserve Base. He returned a month later and was assigned to the base as Civilian Fire Prevention Inspector. Joseph was named Assistant Fire Chief in May 1981 and began to serve as Fire Chief in December 1991. In later years, his responsibilities shifted to include backup support for neighboring communities and firefighter training. During his tenure, he was most proud of Westover Fire Department’s expansion into emergency medical care, hazardous materials cleanup and confined space rescue training before his retirement in 1994. Joseph was a man of honor who served as the epitome of perseverance, dedication and devotion. He will never be forgotten. His family would like to especially thank Mercy Medical Center for their loving care and support. Family, friends and others whose lives Joseph touched are invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday, January 28, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. The Celebration of his Life Service will be held on Friday morning, January 29, 2016 beginning at 9 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Committal Service with United States Air Force and Westover Fire Department Military Honors at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Federal Firefighters Benevolent Association, 100 Jenkins Street, Chicopee, MA 01022. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com