CHICOPEE - Raoul O. Hamel, 74, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. He passed into Eternal Life at his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on September 30, 1942, a beloved son of the late Pierre F. and Theresa (Gallagher) Hamel. He was raised in Holyoke and lived there for many years. He later lived in the Willimansett section of Chicopee before moving to Fairview around 2009. He was employed for many years at the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club and retired in 2007 as a Maintenance Supervisor. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. An avid handyman, Raoul could always be found working on projects around his home. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend of 49 years, Miriam (Garcia) Hamel. He also leaves his two loving sons, Kenneth R. Hamel and his wife, Carrie, of Ludlow and Jeffrey T. Hamel of Indian Orchard; his two cherished granddaughters whom he adored, Brielle and Alivia Hamel; his dear sister, Shirley Reopel of Westfield; his dear step mother-in-law, Patricia Garcia of Westfield; his dear sister-in-law, Yamara Garcia of Chicopee; his two dear brothers-in-law, Jesus Garcia and his wife, Kimberly, of Louisiana and Ricardo Garcia and his wife, Margit, of Germany; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Hamel and Garcia families. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his four dear brothers, Donald, Leonard, Russell and Robert Hamel; and his dear sister, Nancy Beauregard. His funeral will be held on Monday morning, September 11, 2017 beginning at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 Noon in Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday morning, September 11, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. before the Mass. The parking lot is located at the rear of the funeral home. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children Springfield Unit, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com