CHICOPEE – Joseph Zajac, 83, of the Sandy Hill section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, February 13, 2021. He passed into Eternal Life at the Sixteen Acres Healthcare Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on April 16, 1937, the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Lesniak) Zajac. He was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee Vocational High School, and was a lifelong resident of Chicopee. He served his country in the United States Air Force and the Massachusetts Air National Guard with the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Airport in Westfield. During this time, he was activated for one year and served overseas during the Berlin Crisis in Phalsburg, France. He was employed for 29 years at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield in the Engineering Department as a Mechanical Supervisor and retired in 1999. He joined the Chicopee Lodge A.F.&A.M. in November 1963 and was very active in the Masonic Fraternity. He served as Master of the Chicopee Lodge in 1989 and 1993 and also served as Lodge Secretary for approximately 25 years. He was the recipient of the Joseph Warren Distinguished Service Medal in 1991, his 50-Year Veteran’s Medal in 2013, and a Meritorious Service Certificate from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 2017 for his service. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Springfield; York Rite Bodies; York Rite College; and served as the District Deputy Secretary for the 29th Masonic District for four years and later for the 27th Masonic District for an additional four years. He was also a member of the Mount Holyoke Lodge A.F.&A.M., served as an Advisor for the West Springfield Rainbow Assembly, as a DeMolay Dad Advisor for the Mount Elm Chapter of DeMolay, and was inducted into the Honorary DeMolay Legion of Honor. He also was a longstanding member of the Melha Shrine in Springfield where he was a Charter Member of the Clown Unit, and served as a Steward of the Shrine for many years. During his leisure time, he enjoyed gardening, bee keeping, and listening to Polka music, and followed many polka bands. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend of 53 years, Lynne E. (O’Dette) Zajac; his loving daughter, Lisa B. Zajac and her companion, Vince Rivera; his loving son, Josef J. Zajac of Chicopee; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his two dear brothers, Alfred Zajac and his wife, Stella, and Julian Zajac; and his dear sister-in-law, Gail M. Brandon and her husband, Paul. His family will receive friends on Thursday, February 25, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a Masonic Service at 10:30 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot and main entrance of the funeral home are located in the rear at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will be private at Fairview Cemetery in Chicopee. Please note that masks are required, social distancing must be observed, and funeral home capacity is limited due to state regulations. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children (please specify Springfield), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com