CHICOPEE – Peter Thomas Strzempek, 64, of the Willimansett section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, December 30, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on August 22, 1952, a beloved son of the late Thomas Peter Strzempek and Helen Rose (Bielski) Strzempek. He was raised in Willimansett, graduated from Chicopee Comprehensive High School in 1970 and lived in Willimansett his entire life. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Specialist Fifth Class. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Chicopee and then furthered his education by attending UMass at Amherst where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He was employed for many years as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service and worked at the Riverdale Station in West Springfield. Following the closing of the Riverdale Station, he transferred to the Agawam Post Office, retiring in 2016. He was also employed for many years at the Ski Haus in East Longmeadow where he considered himself a “ski bum”. Pete enjoyed basketball, skiing, golfing with his sons and working on antique cars in his garage. He was a past president and longtime member of the Model A Club. He treasured his 1930 Model A Tudor that he completely restored. He was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brother-in-law, Randel Bean. He leaves his beloved wife, and best friend, Robin E. (St. Lawrence) Strzempek. They were married on October 29, 1983 at Saint Anne Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 33 years of happiness together. Besides his wife, he leaves his three loving children, Sara Marie Brown and her husband, Justin, of Chicopee, Thomas Peter Strzempek and his wife, Kathleen, of Waltham and Brian Michael Strzempek of Chicopee; his three cherished grandchildren, Eleanor Marie Brown, Peter Thomas Strzempek and Charles Robert Strzempek; and his dear sister, Pamela M. Bean of Chicopee. In addition, he leaves his cousin who was like his brother, Lawrence Dziedzic and his wife, Katrina, of Chicopee; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Strzempek and St. Lawrence families. He will also be deeply missed by his faithful Labrador, Bentley. His funeral will be held on Saturday morning, January 7, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in 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 Friday, January 6, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 220 North Main Street, Suite 104, Natick, MA 01760. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com