CHICOPEE – James A. “Jimmy” Raschilla, 83, of Chicopee and Alton Bay, New Hampshire, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, October 5, 2023. He passed into Eternal Life at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on May 14, 1940, a beloved son of the late Michael and Angela “Nellie” G. (Brzostecki) Raschilla. He was raised in Chicopee and graduated from Chicopee High School in 1957. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Airman First Class. He then furthered his education and attended Holyoke Community College and Western New England College, and received his Master’s Degree from Lesley University in Cambridge. He was an Adjunct Professor at Springfield Technical Community College and was previously employed at Westfield State University, Holyoke Community College, and Digital Equipment Corporation in Acton, MA. Jimmy was the President of The Wheelers which was an auto club in the late 50’s and 60’s, the Founder and President of the Pioneer Valley Over 25 Hockey League, he coached for SAFAA Saint Anne Family Athletics Association, he was active with the Chicopee Athletic Hall of Fame, he was Chair on the Chicopee Water and Sewer Commission, and a member of the American Legion Post 72 in Alton, NH. During his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing, playing hockey, and cooking. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and friends, most especially at Lake Winnipesaukee. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Barbara C. (Reed) Raschilla. They were married on October 29, 1960 at the First Lutheran Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 62 years of happiness. He also leaves his two loving and devoted children, Anthony J. Raschilla and Lesley J. Raschilla, both of Chicopee; his loving daughter in law, Jill Roach; his cherished granddaughter, Michaela Raschilla and her fiancé, Isaac Perez, of Cumberland, RI; his dear brother in law, Thomas Reed and his wife, Alice, of Holyoke; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends. In addition to his beloved parents, he was predeceased by his dear brother, Michael A. Raschilla and his wife, Shelly. The family would like to thank Dr. Shirai and the ICU Care Team at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for their compassion and care. His Funeral will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home. His Committal Service with United States Air Force Military Honors will follow the service at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, October 15, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The funeral home parking lot is located in the rear. 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 or to the Dartmouth Hitchcock Oncology Department, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03766. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com