CHICOPEE – No one else can understand the way I am feeling now…though family, friends and memories will help me through somehow. Time will ease my husband’s loss though my sorrow will remain, but the love he left inside my heart will take away the pain. My husband, George Wesley Caldwell, 82, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, October 10, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke surrounded by all the memories that he loved and cherished. He was born in Albany, New York, the oldest of three children of the late George and Sophie (Morawski) Caldwell. George was a graduate of the Vincentian Institute in Albany and attended the University of New Mexico. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country during the Korean War. He later joined the Air Reserve Technician (ART) Program during the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. He was commissioned an officer with duty as Logistics Plans and Program Staff Officer at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee. His unit was credited as being first on scene to establish a Mobility Control Center during Desert Storm. George retired as Lieutenant Colonel with 40 years of combined military and civilian service. He was the recipient of numberous awards and decorations for his military service. After retirement, he worked as an Information Specialist for the Mallary Complex during the Big E for several years. George was a member of the Retired Officers’ Association, the United States Naval Academy Parents’ Club, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the Fairview Knights of Columbus Council 4044 and the Charles Kennedy American Legion Post 275, both in Chicopee. He was a quiet, even-tempered and unassuming man who enjoyed the outdoors. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, stockcar racing and camping. He was a devoted New York Yankees fan. His father was a former golf pro at Woofert Roast Country Club in Albany where George caddied as a youngster. He and his wife enjoyed golfing and traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC for several years to participate in a 4-day Retired Military Golf Association Tournament. Additionally, George enjoyed the theater and was a longtime subscriber of the Bushnell and Majestic Theaters. One of his fondest memories was gathering around the campfire and singing “Waltzing Matilda” with the Aussies the evening before Opening Day Ceremony of the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada. George awoke that following morning to discover he had misplaced the event tickets. Thankfully, he found them and all headed off to the games. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife and best friend, Marilyn (Pierce) Callahan Caldwell. He was stepfather to USN Ret. Capt. Shawn Callahan and his wife, Jodie, and grandsons, Liam, Gareth, Aidan and Dylan, all of Springfield, VA and stepfather to Kevin Callahan of Houston, TX. He is also survived by three daughters, Sharan Buchanan of Bloomfield, CT and grandchildren, Spencer and Taylor, Susan Luxemburg and her husband, Maury, of South Windsor, CT and grandchildren, Lauren, Marcus, Simon, Ethan and Emma, and great-grandchildren, Ava and Kaylee, and Lori Dube and her husband, Joseph, of Ellington, CT. George also leaves behind his very dear friend and protégé, Owen “Chip” Connolly of Granby. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his two brothers, Thomas and Richard Caldwell. His funeral will be held on Friday morning, October 14, 2016 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 (the funeral home will open at 10 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His Committal Service with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Mass at 1 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 Thursday, October 13, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. We never really lose those who are dear to us. Their familiar voices whisper to us when we are alone. Their images return to us in dreams. And though, at first, we are saddened by their departure, in time our sorrow fades and is replaced by vivid memories of happy times spent together. The realization that those memories will live on within us is comforting and allows us to find peace. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com