CHICOPEE – Gerald G. Paquette, Sr., 86, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, August 3, 2017. He passed into Eternal Life at home surrounded by all the memories he loved and cherished. He was born in Westfield on November 13, 1930, a beloved son of the late Edward O. and Isabelle M. (Miskus) Paquette. He was raised in Westfield, graduated from Westfield Trade High School in 1947 and had lived in Westfield before moving to Chicopee in 1967. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received the Bronze Star, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He later enlisted with the United States Navy Seabees and attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He continued his service with the Mass. Air National Guard and served until 1989 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. His military service spanned over 30 years. He had worked as a lineman for Westfield Gas and Electric and later worked at Westover in Chicopee. He retired as an electrician from UMass - Amherst. While working and serving in the military, Gerald returned to school and received his high school diploma from Holyoke High School in 1967. He was a member of the Chicopee American Legion Post 452, a charter member of the Korean War Veterans’ Association of Western Mass Chapter 2000 and a member of the Chicopee Senior Center. An avid softball player, he was a member of the Western Mass Relics. He loved hunting and fishing and enjoyed taking out his small boat to fish. Above all, Gerald was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend who always found time to help everyone and showered his family with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Virginia A. (Vraibel) Paquette. They were married on July 31, 1954 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Westfield and were blessed with over 63 years of happiness together. He also leaves his five loving children, Laura A. Paquette, Richard G. Paquette and his wife, Janet, Michael G. Paquette and his fiancee, Dung Le, Marianne M. Gregersen and Gerald G. Paquette, Jr. and his wife, Tammy; his ten cherished grandchildren, Eric R. Paquette, Rachel A. Paquette and her fiance, Justin Morin, Cecilia C. Paquette, Donald R. Paquette, Joseph D. Paquette, Conor B. Gregersen, Arren R. Gregersen, Adrienne B. Paquette, Isabelle L. Paquette and Owen E. Paquette; his dear sister-in-law, Jeanette Enko of Southampton; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Paquette and Vraibel families. In addition to his parents, Gerald was also predeceased by his dear son-in-law, Brian F. Gregersen who was Called Home on March 14, 2016; and his dear brother-in-law, Douglas Enko. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 5:30 p.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Marine Corps Military Honors will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 1 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Trustees Fund at the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or to the Friends of Quabbin, Inc., 485 Ware Road, Belchertown, MA 01007. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com