CHICOPEE – George J. Fontaine, 96, a longtime resident of Sullivan Street in the Aldenville section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at Willimansett Center West in Chicopee surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 31, 1920, a beloved son of the late Francois Xavier Fontaine and Lena R. (Theriault) Fontaine. He came with his family to Chicopee at a young age, graduated in 1938 from the former Chicopee Trade High School and lived in the Aldenville section of Chicopee most of his life. Before his enlistment in the military, he was employed as a tool grinder and maker at the former Springfield Armory. George was part of the Greatest Generation and served his country in the United States Army during World War II, attaining the rank of Technician Fifth Grade. He served in Northern France and received the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he returned to work at the Springfield Armory and continued his employment there until the Armory closed. He was then employed at the former General Electric. Following the closing of General Electric, he worked at Quabbin Industries at Westover Industrial Park in Chicopee before retiring in 1982. He was a former member of the Aldenville American Legion Post 337. During his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing, playing pitch and gardening. He took great pride in his many home renovation projects and repairs. Most of all, he was a loving man who adored his family and showered them with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and soul mate, Georgette Z. “Noella” (Lambert) Fontaine who was Called Home on January 3, 2016. They were married on March 2, 1946 at Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee and were blessed with nearly 70 years of happiness together. Besides his parents and his wife, he was also predeceased by his loving son-in-law, Zygmunt “Zig” Babski who was Called Home on June 11, 2016; his two dear brothers, Alfred Fontaine and Roland Fontaine; and his dear sister, Lorraine I. Kusnierz. He leaves his two loving daughters, Elaine M. DeLeonardis and her husband, Robert, and Susan M. Babski, all of Chicopee; his four cherished grandchildren, Angela DeLeonardis, Richard DeLeonardis and his wife, Alice, Beth Babski and her life partner, Jeremy Bissonnette, and Amy Bult and her husband, Darwin; his dear sister, Constance Lively of Port St. Lucie, FL; his dear sister-in-law, Lucille M. Champ; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Fontaine and Lambert families. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, June 23, 2016 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral will open at 9 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, June 22, 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. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts / New Hampshire Chapter, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com