CHICOPEE - Raymond J. Hamel, 82, of the Ferry Lane section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, March 28, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts on January 18, 1934, a beloved son of the late Henri and Cecile (Hebert) Hamel. He was raised in Lawrence and later lived in Tewksbury, Springfield, Palmer and Agawam before moving to the Willimansett section of Chicopee in 2012. He served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War and attained the rank of Ship’s Serviceman Petty Officer Third Class. He served aboard the USS Roanoke and received the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal. Following his military service and eventual moving to Springfield around 1965, he was employed for many years at the former Rexnord in Springfield. He was a member of the American Legion, a member of the Knights of Columbus Elder Council 69 in Chicopee and a life member of the Chicopee Lodge of Elks 1849 where he volunteered at their weekly bingo. During his leisure time, Ray enjoyed puttering around his home and especially liked woodworking. Most of all, he was a simple man who loved his family and his many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Claire M. (Lemelin) Hamel who was Called Home on November 22, 2014. They were married on September 19, 1959 at Saint William’s Church in Tewksbury and were blessed with over 55 years of happiness together. He was also predeceased by his cherished grandson, Anthony Rame who was Called Home on November 1, 1990; his loving son-in-law, George G. Washington who was Called Home on April 26, 2014; and his dear sisters, Terry Smith and Jeanne Marchand. He leaves his three loving children, Pauline M. Gosselin and her husband, William, Michael J. Hamel and his wife, Nancy, and Jeannine M. Washington, all of Chicopee; his four cherished grandchildren, Christopher Hamel, Matthew Hamel, Nicole Hamel and Michelle Rame; his two cherished great-grandsons, Anthony Michael Morrow and Colin Morrow; his four dear brothers, Henry Hamel and his partner, Marylou Robson, of Methuen, John Hamel of Salem, NH, Arthur Hamel and his wife, Lil, of Litchfield, NH and Gerry Hamel of Boston; his four dear sisters, Cil Wood and her husband, Eddie, and Claire Haggar and her husband, Roy, all of Windham, NH, Alice Atkins and her husband, Paul, of Easthampton and Rita Pelletier of Lawrence; his two dear brothers-in-law, Francis Smith of Florida and Leo Marchand of Salem, NH; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Hamel and Lemelin families. His Funeral will be held on Thursday morning, March 31, 2016 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 10:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 Noon at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass at 2 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 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. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children (Specify Springfield), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com