CHICOPEE ~ Gerald R. “Gerry” DeLoria, 81, a longtime resident of Montcalm Street in the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, September 20, 2019. He passed into Eternal Life at his daughter Denise’s home in Harrisonburg, Virginia surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born at home on Lemuel Avenue in Chicopee on January 10, 1938, a beloved son of the late Edward Blanchard DeLoria and Verna Lena (St. Cyr) DeLoria. He was raised in Chicopee and graduated from Chicopee High School in 1955. He moved to Fairview in 1963 and resided there until moving to Harrisonburg in 2013. He served his country in the United States Army National Guard. He was last employed in the Food Service Department at UMASS Amherst and previously worked for many years as a Supervisor at the former A.G. Spalding Company, which later became Spalding Sports Worldwide, in the Willimansett section of Chicopee. He also worked for many years as a Bar Manager at the former Bridge Street Cafe in Willimansett. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Fairview and currently was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church in Harrisonburg. Active in his Catholic faith, Gerry was a longtime member of the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus and a Fourth Degree member of the Bishop Joseph F. Maguire Assembly 2670, both in Chicopee. He also served for many years on the Home Association and the Bar Committee of the Fairview Knights of Columbus, worked as a bartender in the council lounge and was a longtime volunteer at their annual summer picnics. Additionally, Gerry was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and an Honorary Deputy Sheriff in Hampden County. During his leisure time, Gerry enjoyed his coffee and paper every morning, watching talk shows, military shows and westerns, talking politics and his massive model car collection of over 500 cars. He was an avid big band music fan and truly enjoyed listening to the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He was a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan and was always ready to watch his beloved team. Most of all, Gerry truly enjoyed spending time with his family and his many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and soul mate, Shirley T. (Mainville) DeLoria who was Called Home on July 29, 1998. They were married on June 20, 1959 at Saint Jerome Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 39 years of happiness together. He also leaves his two loving children, Denise T. Dixon of Harrisonburg with whom he lived and Daniel G. DeLoria and his wife, MaryBeth, of Greenfield; his two cherished grandchildren whom he adored, Ryan A. Cote and Madison Paige-Olivia Dixon, both of Harrisonburg; his dear sisters and brothers, Anne Fleury of South Hadley, John “Jack” DeLoria and his wife, Judith, and Marie Slowick and her husband, Stanley, all of Chicopee and Frances DeLoria of Monson; his two cherished godchildren, Michelle Touchette and her husband, Phillip, of Ludlow and David DeLoria of Pittsfield; his dear sister-in-law, Laurel DeLoria of Redding, CA; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the DeLoria and Mainville families. In addition to his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his dear brothers and his dear sister, Edward “Red” DeLoria, Jeanne Blanchette, Robert DeLoria, Kenneth DeLoria and Roland DeLoria. He will also be sadly missed by his beloved feline companion, Twinkie, who throughout his illness never left his side. His funeral will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019 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. 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 Friday, September 27, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. For those who prefer, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com