SOUTH HADLEY – Leon H. “Lee” Babbitt, Jr., 89, of South Hadley, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, July 12, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family, his wonderful caregivers and his comrades at arms. He was born in Springfield on January 29, 1927, a beloved son of the late Leon H. Babbitt and Mallisca (Kopyscinska) Babbitt. He was raised in Springfield, graduated from the High School of Commerce and lived in Springfield for several years before moving to South Hadley, Ludlow and Granby before moving back to South Hadley in 1994. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and attained the rank of Private First Class. He was a self employed carpet installer and previously owned and operated Babbitt Carpet Company on Main Street in South Hadley. During his younger years, Lee coached youth football, basketball and baseball. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus in South Hadley and a former member of the American Legion. During his leisure time, Lee enjoyed sunsets in Aruba, bowling, golfing and reading. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his dear sisters, Flora Dilks and Dorothy Pelletier. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Carole L. (Cousins) Babbitt. They were married on July 30, 1983 at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church in Ludlow and were blessed with over 32 years of happiness together. He also leaves his eight loving children, Debi Jacques and her husband, David, of Holland, Leon Babbitt III and his wife, Debbie, of Granby, Marie Babbitt of Granby, Bruce Babbitt of Celebration, FL, Patricia Minton and her husband, Larry, of Shrewsbury, Michelle Cory and her partner, John Watts, of Feeding Hills, Suzanne Crosby and her husband, Stephen, of Sykesville, MD, and Sharyn Babbitt of Sacramento, CA; his 15 grandchildren, his five great-grandchildren; his dear brother-in-law, William Cousins and his wife, Freida, of Olean, NY; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Babbitt and Cousins families. His funeral will be held on Monday morning, July 18, 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 Marine Corps 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 Sunday, July 17, 2016 from 2 p.m. to 5 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 Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com