CHICOPEE – Edmund L. “Eddie” Gelinas, 69, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, May 22, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on February 2, 1947, a beloved son of the late Edmund Napoleon Gelinas and Joan A. (Bergeron) Gelinas. He was raised in the Willimansett section of Chicopee and lived in Arizona and Palmer before returning to Chicopee. He moved to the Fairview section of Chicopee in 1976. Eddie served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Airman First Class. Following his military service, he was employed as a welder and steel fabricator at Fernandes Steel in Willimansett. He later was employed for Lawler Construction Company in South Hadley and had last worked for the Foster Company in West Springfield. For many years, Eddie also plowed snow at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Elder Council No. 69 in Chicopee, the Tigers Athletic Club and the Eagles Club 404, both in Chicopee Falls and a former member of the Chicopee Lodge of Elks 1849. Most of all, he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who adored his family and friends and showered them with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his cherished grandson, Jake Andrew Kleszczynski who was Called Home on January 17, 2016; and his dear brother, William Gelinas. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Jean Y. (Riley) Gelinas. They were married on June 17, 1967 at Saint Mary Church in East Springfield and were blessed with over 48 years of happiness together. He also leaves his five loving children, Edmund L. Gelinas, Jr., Kim A. Gelinas and her partner, Jeremy Nelson, Michele M. Gelinas and her fiancé, Jeff Allaire, Ashley S. Gelinas and her fiancé, Daniel Rogalski, and Curt E. Gelinas, all of Chicopee; his four cherished grandchildren, Keith A. Kleszczynski, Jr., Gabriella Rogalski, Autumn Rogalski and Skyler Rogalski; his two dear sisters, Joan “Bunny” Bissonnette and her husband, George, of Chicopee and Mary Ann Adams and her husband, Harvey, of Ludlow; his dear sister-in-law, Joyce Gelinas of Chicopee; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Gelinas and Riley families. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday morning, May 27, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.). The Reverend Scott H. Seabury, Rector of Saint Christopher Episcopal Church in Chicopee will be officiating the service at the funeral home. His burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the service at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, May 26, 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. If desired, his family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to Mercy Hospice, 2112 Riverdale Street, Suite 3, West Springfield, MA 01089. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com