CHICOPEE ~ Leo P. Gendron, Jr., 87, of the Willimansett section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, November 16, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at Care One at Redstone in East Longmeadow surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born at home in Chicopee on February 6, 1931, a beloved son of the late Leo Paul Gendron, Sr. and Lena Agnes (Duval) Gendron. He was raised in Chicopee, attended the former Rosary High School in Holyoke and was a lifelong resident of Chicopee. He served his country during the Korean War in the United States Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Private First Class. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Chicopee and was employed for many years as a Supervisor at Savage Arms in Westfield. He later worked in the Receiving Department at Ampad Corporation in Holyoke. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Elder Council 69 in Chicopee and a 61 year Friend of Bill W. He enjoyed playing cribbage and was a member of the Cribbage League. He also enjoyed watching baseball and playing golf. Active in his Catholic faith, he was a longtime communicant of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee where he served his parish for many years as the Church Sacristan and a longtime Bingo worker. Following the closure of his beloved parish, he became a communicant of Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Chicopee. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Evelyn F. (Godek) Gendron. They were married on Independence Day, July 4, 1953 at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 65 years of happiness together. He also leaves his six loving children, Joyce A. Page of Chicopee, Susan M. Lamontagne and her husband, Richard, of East Dover, VT, John F. Gendron and his wife, Joanne, of Belchertown, Debra A. Gray and her husband, Kevin, of Springfield, Janet L. Kervian and her husband, Robert, of Joplin, MO and Gregg W. Gendron and his wife, Corine, of Hampton, VA; his 16 cherished grandchildren; his 14 cherished great-grandchildren; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Gendron and Godek families. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brother, Lawrence Gendron. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 9 a.m. at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 56 Saint Anthony Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His Committal Service with United States Marine Corps Military Honors will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His funeral arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 56 Saint Anthony Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com