CHICOPEE – Edward C. Gauthier, 71, of the Aldenville section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, September 19, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at Holyoke Medical Center in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on May 27, 1945, a beloved son of the late Albert A. and Blanche I. (Boudreau) Gauthier. He was raised in Holyoke, graduated Holyoke Trade High School and had lived in Aldenville for most of his life. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Specialist Fourth Grade. He was employed as a chemical handler at the former Ashland Hercules Chemical Corporation, now Solenis, in Chicopee. He was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Aldenville where he also served as an usher. Edward was a die-hard New York Yankees fan and enjoyed the rivalry with his friends who followed the Boston Red Sox. Above all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother who loved his family and many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Doris M. (Croteau) Gauthier. They were married on September 2, 1967 at Sainte Rose de Lima Church and were blessed with over 49 years of happiness together. He also leaves his two loving sons, David A. Gauthier and his wife, Jennafer, of Feeding Hills and Brian C. Gauthier and his wife, Kristen, of Agawam; his four cherished grandchildren, Adam, Katherine, Daphne and Patrick Gauthier; his dear brother, Ronald A. Gauthier and his wife, Sandra, of Chicopee: his dear sister, Claire Roy his two dear brothers-in-law, Jean A. Croteau and his wife, Ruth, and Donald L. Croteau and his wife, Renee, all of Chicopee; his dear sister-in-law, Diane M. Samson and her husband, Paul, of Chicopee; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Gauthier and Croteau families. Besides his beloved parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brother-in-law, Roger Roy. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Liturgy of Christian Burial on Monday, September 26, 2016 at 9 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com