CHICOPEE - Ernest A. "Ernie" LaRocque, 84, a longtime resident of Britton Street in the Fairview section of Chicopee and later a resident of Sunrise Lane and then the Arbors, both in Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, June 9, 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 Prospect Street in the Fairview section of Chicopee, a beloved son of the late Napoleon and Matilda (Dupuis) LaRocque. He graduated from Chicopee High School and lived nearly his entire life in Fairview. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War and attained the rank of Corporal. He received the Army of Occupation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He was employed for many years at the former Sonoco Paper Products at Westover in Chicopee. For many years, he was the owner and operator of the Fairview Home Supply in Chicopee where he specialized in small engine repair of lawn mowers, snowblowers, and boats to name a few. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Fairview where he served his parish for many years as an Usher and Greeter. He was a member of the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus in Chicopee. Ernie was a quiet man who enjoyed the simple things in life. He enjoyed puttering around his home and apartment block and was always seen working on a project. His summers were spent on his deck and at "the camp" at Lake Metacomet in Belchertown where his family and friends enjoyed playing cards, listening to the Red Sox and having fun. Most of all, he loved his family and his many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Patricia A. (Caron) LaRocque who was Called Home on September 14, 2008. They were married on November 22, 1956 at Saint Anne Church in Fairview and were blessed with over 51 years of happiness together. Besides his parents and wife, Ernie was also predeceased by his beloved son, David E. LaRocque who was Called Home on February 25, 2016; his three loving brothers and sisters-in-law, Rheo R. LaRocque and his wife, Irene, Armand V. LaRocque Sr. and his wife, Ernestine, and Rene R. LaRocque. He leaves his devoted children, Wayne A. LaRocque and his spouse, Jerry Caldwell, of Chicago, IL, and Michelle S. LaRocque and the next best thing to a daughter, Jana Obenoskey of Springfield; his devoted daughter-in-law, Marie R. (Vona) LaRocque of Chicopee; his devoted caregiver and best buddy to the "adorable little Frenchman", Cori Chartier; his dear niece, Suzanne M. "Sue" Moreau and her husband, Art; his three dear nephews, Atty. Ronald R. LaRocque and his companion Ilda, Raymond R. LaRocque and his wife, Wendy, and Armand V. "Skip" LaRocque; his longtime Fairview friend and Soldiers' Home buddy, Paul Perron; and his many dear brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law of the Caron family. In addition, he leaves many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the LaRocque and Caron families. His funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, June 14, 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 11 a.m. in Saint Anne Church, 30 College 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 Wednesday, June 14, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before the Mass. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Holyoke Soldiers' Home Activity Fund, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com