CHICOPEE - Richard B. "Dick" Garvin, 78, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, May 11, 2017. 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 November 30, 1938, a beloved son of the late William A. and Noella (Desroches) Garvin. He was raised in Holyoke, graduated from Holyoke High School and lived in Holyoke for many years before moving to the Fairview section of Chicopee around 1964. He furthered his education and received a Bachelor's Degree from the Hampden College of Pharmacy. Dick served his country in the Massachusetts Air National Guard with the 104th Tactical Fighter Group in Westfield. His unit was activated during the Berlin Crisis where he served in Germany and attained the rank of Airman Second Class. He was a Pharmacist and owned and operated the former Medical West Pharmacy in Chicopee. He later worked at several area pharmacies including Bliss Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy, both in Longmeadow. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. Dick loved sharing his voice and sang for over 20 years as a tenor with the Springfield Chordsmen. He was a coach for the AJAC Girl's Softball Team and a former member of the Chicopee Comprehensive High School Band Parents. He was an avid Red Sox, Patriots and UMASS Basketball fan. Active with his grandchildren's activities, he attended many of their sporting and extracurricular events. He also enjoyed reading to the children at the Plains Elementary School in South Hadley. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and his many dear friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Doris R. "Dodie" (LeClair) Garvin. They were married on June 3, 1961 at Saint Anne Church in Chicopee and were blessed with nearly 56 years of happiness together. He also leaves his three loving children, Kimberly Ann Garvin Hammersmith and her fiance, Christopher Koenig, of Windsor, CT, Kevin R. Garvin and his companion, Maura Martin, of South Hadley and Scott B. Garvin and his wife, Kristin, of Westwood, MA; his seven cherished grandchildren, Jeffrey Hammersmith and his wife, Shannon, Gregory and Daniel Hammersmith, and Madison and Max Garvin and Sean and Nathaniel Garvin; his dear brother, William A. Garvin and wife, Jeanne, of Agawam; his dear sister in law, Linda LeClair of Pocasset, MA; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Garvin and LeClair families. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his loving infant son, Richard Louis Garvin who was Called Home in November of 1964; and his dear brother-in-law, Donald LeClair who was Called Home on October 3, 2016. His funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, May 17, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will follow the Mass at Saint Rose Cemetery, 65 Willimansett Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located at the rear of the funeral home. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations may be made in his memory to Jericho, P.O. Box 1039, Holyoke, MA 01041-1039. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com