CHICOPEE – Ronald Joseph “Joe” Roy, 83, a longtime resident of the Aldenville section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, April 29, 2017. 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 at home on Linden Street in the Chicopee Falls section of Chicopee on August 2, 1933, a beloved son of the late Joseph Roy and Alphonsine (Roy) Roy. At a young age, his parents moved to the Aldenville section of Chicopee where he attended local schools and was a lifelong resident of the city. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War with the Company D 29th Infantry Regiment. He received the National Defense Service Medal and attained the rank of Specialist Third Class. Following his military service, he returned to Chicopee and was employed for over 30 years as a Machinist at Smith & Wesson in Springfield, retiring in 1995. During his younger years, Joe was active with the Boy Scout Troop in Aldenville. He was an avid golfer and also enjoyed camping. He was an active member of the Aldenville American Legion Post 337 and a member of the Knights of Columbus Elder Council 69 in Chicopee. You always knew where you stood with Joe. He had a heart of gold and was always ready to help his family or his many friends at any time. He was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee and served his parish for many years as a volunteer and cafeteria monitor at the Parish School of Saint Joan of Arc in Aldenville. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Louise M. (Golfieri) Roy who was Called Home on June 4, 2004. They were married on September 7, 1959 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 44 years of happiness together. He leaves his three loving children, Joseph R. Roy and his wife, Alice, of Easthampton, Linda M. Cousar and her husband, James, of Columbia, SC and Glen A. Roy of Fort Worth, TX; his seven cherished grandchildren whom he adored, Paige Roy, Kyla Roy, Venessa Roy, Jessica Cousar, Isaac Roy, Elisha Roy and Joshua Roy; his loving sister, Cecile Lajoie and her husband, Joseph, of Granby; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Roy and Golfieri families. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his dear brother, Maurice J. Roy; and his three dear sisters, Jeannine Woolsey, Aline Fontaine and Helen B. Balthazard. His funeral will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 10 a.m.) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. before 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, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Joan of Arc School, 587 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 or to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke Activity Fund, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com