CHICOPEE – William E. “Bill” LaCroix, 85, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, November 26, 2021. He passed into Eternal Life at Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on August 4, 1936, a beloved son of the late Leo J. and Cecile P. (Boucher) LaCroix. He was raised in the Willimansett section of Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee High School and had moved to Fairview in 1961 where he lived the remainder of his life. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War and attained the rank of Specialist Third Class. He furthered his education and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Western New England College in Springfield. Bill was the co-owner and operator of LaCroix’s Market and Luncheonette in Willimansett along with his brother, Gerald. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Fairview. He also was a member of the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus in Chicopee. During his leisure time, he enjoyed traveling and trying his luck at the casinos. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Claire M. (Niedzielski) LaCroix. They were married on July 4, 1961 at Holy Family Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 60 years of happiness together. He also leaves his three loving children, Kenneth W. LaCroix and his wife, Linda, of Chicopee, Richard J. LaCroix and his wife, Monica, and Marie E. Labonte and her husband, David Labonte, Jr., all of Ludlow; his six cherished grandchildren, Mary LaCroix and her fiance, Jonathan Driscoll, Michelle LaCroix and her partner, James Desrosiers, Carolyn, Benjamin and Meredith LaCroix and Joshua Labonte; his dear brother, Gerald LaCroix; his dear brother in law, Donald Niedzielski and his wife, Claudette, of Westfield; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended family members. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his dear sister, Elaine Hamelin and her husband, Gerald; his four dear brothers in law, Joseph Niedzielski, Jr. and his wife, Mary, John Niedzielski and his wife, Louise, Charles Niedzielski and Chester Niedzielski and his wife, Constance; and his six dear sisters in law, Catherine LaCroix, Emilia Niedzielski, Mary Ball and her husband, Donald, Frances Agustynowicz and her husband, Stanley, Irene Yeskay and her husband, Frank “Pete” Yeskay, and Margaret Lyons and her husband, James. His Funeral will be held on Thursday, December 2, 2021 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (the funeral home will open at 7:45 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Army 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 family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral home parking lot is located in the rear. Masks are recommended for his funeral services. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com