CHICOPEE – Robert J. “Bob” Asselin, Sr., 86, of the Sandy Hill section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, January 1, 2017. He entered into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in La Durantaye, Province of Quebec, Canada on May 11, 1930, a beloved son of the late Arthur J. and Marie-Ange (Goupil) Asselin. He was raised in the North End section of Springfield and graduated from the former Springfield Trade High School. Following his marriage in 1951, Bob moved to Chicopee. He was employed for 37 years at the former U.S. Envelope, which later became Mead-Westvaco, in Springfield and retired in 1992. He was a communicant of the former Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church for over 50 years and currently was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church, both in Chicopee. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Elder Council 69 and the Oregon Sportsmen’s Club, both in Chicopee. He was also a member of the Easthampton Beagle Club and had served as a Boy Scout Assistant Scout Master. Bob and his wife, Esther, were 45 year members of the North American Family Campers Association Pioneer Valley Chapter 8, they traveled together in their motor home across the country and Canada and together were honored to have the 2013 camping show in West Springfield dedicated in their names. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Esther R. (Majgier) Asselin. Their journey of love started when they were 16 and met while roller skating at Saint George Roller Rink in Chicopee Falls. They were married on March 31, 1951 at the former Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 65 years of happiness together. He also leaves his loving daughter, Darlene M. Dout and her husband, Alan, of Chicopee; his daughter-in-law, Linda L. Asselin of Chicopee; his five cherished grandchildren, Robert J. Dout and his wife, Jennifer, Jason A. Dout and his wife, Amanda, Kimberly M. Dout, Melissa Asselin and Heather Asselin; his two precious great-granddaughters, Olivia and Aubrey Dout; his two dear sisters, Jacqueline Poirier and her husband, James, of Cottonwood, CA and Lucille Archambault of West Springfield; his two dear brothers, Donald Asselin and his partner, Lucy, of Connecticut and Francis Asselin and his wife, Kathy, of Feeding Hills; his loving and loyal companion, his dog, Buddy; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Asselin and Majgier families. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his loving son, Robert J. “Bobby” Asselin, Jr. who was Called Home on June 27, 2015; his three dear sisters-in-law, Marion Majgier, Doris “Stella” Hamm and her husband, James, and Barbara Baruffaldi and her husband, Peter. His funeral will be held on Friday morning, January 6, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will follow the Mass at Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, 800 Montgomery Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 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 name to the Children’s Miracle Network at Baystate Medical Center, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199 or the Ronald McDonald House, 34 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com