CHICOPEE – Eugene A. “Al” Gagnon, 88, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, November 1, 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 Greenfield on September 7, 1928, a beloved son of the late Eugene R. and Blanche M. (Grandmaison) Gagnon. He was raised in Greenfield and moved to Holyoke as a child with his family and attended Holyoke schools. He later moved to Chicopee where he resided for the past 28 years. He served his country in the United States Navy during World War II and attained the rank of Seaman Second Class. He was employed as a machinist for many years at Texon in South Hadley and later in Russell. He was a communicant of the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee. An avid card player, he enjoyed playing cards and pitch at the Fairview Knights of Columbus Council 4044 in Chicopee with the Golden Agers Club. He also enjoyed spending time with his friends at their daily morning coffee club at the McDonald’s on Memorial Drive in Chicopee. Above all, he loved spending time with all his family and friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Fernande A. (Marquis) Gagnon who was Called Home on August 10, 2006. They were married on June 19, 1948 at Precious Blood Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 58 years of happiness together. Besides his parents and his wife, he was also predeceased by his dear brother, Norman Gagnon; and his dear sister, Helen Parker. He leaves his three loving children, Linda A. Gagnon of Chicopee, Gary P. Gagnon and his wife, Nancy, of East Longmeadow and Donald A. Gagnon and his wife, Brenda, of Chicopee; his three cherished grandchildren, Marie Everett and her husband, Michael, of Springfield, Sarah Goble of White House, TN and Joel Beaudette of Chicopee; his three cherished great-granddaughters, Lindsey, Alexis and Paris; his two dear sisters-in-law, Lucille Gagnon of Holyoke and Constance Bissonnette of Florida; his dear brother-in-law, Rene Carbonneau of Westfield; his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Gagnon and Marquis families; and his many dear friends including his close friend, Bill Curlew of Chicopee. The family would like to thank the staff at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke for their wonderful care of Al during his stay with them. His funeral will be held on Saturday morning, November 5, 2016 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (the funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Burial with United States Navy Military Honors will follow the Mass at Notre Dame Cemetery, 63 Lyman Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends on Saturday morning, November 5, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. prior to the Mass. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For those who prefer, memorial donations may 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