CHICOPEE – Robert T. “Bob” Lakota, 77, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, November 5, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on October 9, 1939, a beloved son of the late Theodore F. Lakota and Rita (Beauregard) Lakota. He was raised in the Chicopee Falls section of Chicopee and graduated from the former Saint Patrick Elementary School. He then attended Cathedral High School in Springfield where he graduated with the Class of 1957. Bob remained a lifelong resident of Chicopee and moved to the Fairview section of the city in 1985. He served his country in the United States Navy and attained the rank of Radioman Third Class. He was employed for 38 years as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service and spent his entire career working between the Westover, Chicopee Center and Chicopee Falls Offices and retired on November 1, 2003. He was a former member of the Chicopee Lodge of Elks 1849 and the Tigers Athletic Club, both in Chicopee. While serving in the United States Navy, Bob played basketball on their championship team and traveled to many places including London and the Isle of Capri. He also enjoyed fishing and softball during his younger years. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. Bob was a quiet man who enjoyed the simple things in life. But most of all, he was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather to his family. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Jacqueline M. “Jackie” (Desrochers) Lakota. They were married on April 27, 1968 at Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 48 years of happiness together. He also leaves his two loving daughters, Barbara A. Leary and her husband, James, of Sykesville, MD and Christine L. Marano and her husband, Stephen, of The Village of Nunda, NY; his two cherished granddaughters whom he adored and who affectionately called him “Poppy”, Zoey Lakota Marano and Mia Lakota Marano; his dear sister, Mary Jane Lakota of Charlton, MA; his two dear brothers-in-law, Robert L. Desrochers and his wife, Susan, of Lititz, PA and Vincent J. Desrochers and his wife, Maureen, of Graham, NC; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the Lakota and Desrochers families. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his two dear brothers, Francis Lakota and Raymond Lakota. His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, November 10, 2016 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 10:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon in Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with United States Navy 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 Wednesday, November 9, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. His family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in his memory to Renate’s Food Pantry c/o Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 or to Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen, 170 Pendexter Avenue, Chicopee, MA 01013. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com