SPRINGFIELD - Victor J. Garatti, 96, of the Glenwood section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. He passed into Eternal Life at the East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing Center surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on May 20, 1925, a beloved son of the late Mario and Antoinette (Maule) Garatti. He graduated from the Technical High School of Springfield and was a lifelong resident of the city. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II with Battery C, 458th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion and attained the rank of Private First Class. He received the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, American Theater Campaign Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was last employed as a mason at Smith College in Northampton and previously was a longtime mason for Negrucci Mason Contractors in West Springfield. He was a longtime communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church and was currently a member of Mary, Mother of Hope Church in East Springfield. Victor had a deep devotion for his country and volunteered many hours for various veteran groups in Holyoke and Northampton. He volunteered at the Open Pantry in Springfield. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and soul mate, Jeanne B. (Hudon) Garatti who was Called Home on March 20, 2014. They were married on May 14, 1949 at the former Saint George Church in Chicopee Falls and were blessed with over 64 years of happiness together. He leaves his four devoted children, Gloria J. Salemi and her life partner, Steven Robert, of Monson, David J. Garatti of Chicopee, Elaine M. McMahon and her husband, Christopher, of East Longmeadow, and Linda A. Fidalgo and her husband, Todd, of Wilbraham; his four cherished grandchildren, Dominick Salemi and his wife, Nanette, Sara Robitaille and her husband, Keith, Paul Blazejowski and his wife, Rebecca, and Halley Fidalgo; his five cherished great grandchildren, Gianna and Vanessa Salemi, Nathan and Cole Robitaille, and Morgan Blazejowski; and his many dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his infant son on August 23, 1952, and his dear sister, Janet Lazzari and her husband, Felix. His Funeral will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104. His Burial with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, December 19, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Masks are recommended for funeral services. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or to the Shriners Hospital for Children (Please Specify Springfield), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com