CHICOPEE – Roland W. Bombardier, 87, of the Willimansett section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, January 1, 2023. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on January 17, 1935, a beloved son of the late William R. and Lina A. (Tremblay) Bombardier. He was raised in the Aldenville section of Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee High School and had moved to Willimansett in 1958 where he lived the remainder of his life. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War with the 793rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He furthered his education and received an Agricultural Studies Certificate from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. He was employed for over 35 years with the former A&P Supermarket in Springfield and retired as the Store Manager in 1997. He was a communicant of Saint Anthony of Padua Church, a member of the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus and a former member of the Buffalo Club, all in Chicopee. During his leisure time, he built his own Modified Stock Car where he raced at the former Riverside Park in Agawam, enjoyed camping and RVing throughout the New England states with his family and also loved sweets and desserts. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Eileen G. (Caron) Bombardier. They were married on September 17, 1955 at the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Willimansett and were blessed with over 67 years of happiness together. He also leaves his four loving children, William R. Bombardier and his wife, Liz, of Ocoee, FL, Christine M. Bombardier and her fiancé, Ross Serra, of Ashford, CT, Cathleen A. Midkiff and her husband, William, of Weatherford, TX, Darlene A. Rodrigue and her former husband, Armand Rodrigue, Jr., of Carver, MA; his 11 cherished grandchildren, Carey Bombardier, Christopher Bombardier and his wife, Jennifer, Cali Bombardier, Spencer and Sarah Lockhart, Greg Serra, Nicole and Tyler Midkiff, Brooke Rodrigue and her husband, Ryan Daley, and Katie and Jeremy Rodrigue; his eight cherished great grandchildren, Austin, Amber, Benjamin, Kyleigh, Maverick, Asher, Patrick and Renee; his dear sister, Diana Kaminski of Palm Coast, FL; his three dear sisters in law, Robin Bombardier D’Arpa of Matawan, NJ, Julie Guertin of Chicopee and Carey Caron of Boise, ID; and his many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and extended members of the Bombardier and Caron families. In addition to his beloved parents, he was predeceased by his two dear brothers, Leonard Bombardier and William Bombardier and his wife, Marion; and his three dear brothers in law, Frank Kaminski, Armand A. Guertin and Ronald J. Caron. His Funeral will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 594 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Burial with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, January 8, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance of the funeral home are located in the rear at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Rays of Hope, Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com