CHICOPEE – David E. LaRocque, 58, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, February 25, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on August 26, 1957, a beloved son of Ernest A. LaRocque of Chicopee and the late Patricia A. (Caron) LaRocque who was Called Home on September 14, 2008. He was raised on Britton Street in the Fairview section of Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee Comprehensive High School and was a lifelong resident of Chicopee. Dave furthered his education by attending night school and received an Associate’s Degree from Springfield Technical Community College. He was currently employed as an Alumni Relations Assistant at Westfield State University. He previously worked for 32 years at Smith & Wesson in Springfield. Dave had a great love of animals and was especially fond of his two loving golden retrievers, Reno and Crystal. He leaves behind Crystal with Marie, however his best friend Reno crossed over to “Rainbow Bridge” to be with Dave less than 24 hours after his passing. During his leisure time, Dave enjoyed photography and skiing. Most of all, Dave was a man who loved his family and his many friends. Besides his loving mother, he was also predeceased by his loving mother-in-law, Dora Vona. Besides his beloved father, he leaves his loving wife and soul mate, Marie R. (Vona) LaRocque. They were married on May 15, 1992 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 23 years of happiness together. He also leaves his loving brother, Wayne A. LaRocque and his spouse, Jerry Caldwell, of Chicago, IL; his loving sister, Michelle S. LaRocque and his best back yard and garage buddy, Jana Obenoskey, of Springfield; his loving father-in-law, Samuel Vona, Jr. of Springfield; his dear brother-in-law, Samuel Vona, III and his longtime girlfriend, Tina Mitchell, of Belchertown; his cherished godson, Nicholas Vona of Belchertown; his “buddy”, Joshua Gregoire; and his many loving uncles, aunts, cousins and lifelong friends. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, March 3, 2016 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. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will be private. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. Because of David’s love of his dogs and animals, his family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Hersman Heart Fund for Animals, c/o East Springfield Veterinary Hospital, 525 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104 or to the Thomas J. O’Connor Foundation, 627 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com