CHICOPEE – Francis E. Gadoua, 89, a longtime resident of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, December 15, 2023. He passed into Eternal Life at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Malone, New York on July 6, 1934, a beloved son of the late Emile J. Gadoua and Florence (Monette) Gadoua Gladu. He was raised and educated in Malone, NY, lived in Clinton, then moved back to his family home on Britton Street in Chicopee in the 1960’s where he lived the remainder of his life. He was a self-employed tractor trailer operator and worked for many tree service companies and later was a groundskeeper at Oak Grove Cemetery in Springfield. In his younger years, he was a dedicated volunteer fire fighter. Francis enjoyed playing the guitar, driving, traveling, and riding his Yamaha motorcycle. He also enjoyed meeting up with his friends for a cup of coffee, watching martial arts movies, and listening to Johnny Cash and Gene Autry. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. He was predeceased by his first wife, Opal (Harbeston) Gadoua and his second wife, Catherine M. (Beauvais) Gadoua. He leaves his three loving and devoted children, Mary Gadoua, Tammy Gadoua, and Christopher Gadoua; his three cherished granddaughters, Jamie Gadoua, Abigail Gadoua, and Kay-Lynn Gadoua; his dear brother, Donald Gadoua; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and extended family members. In addition to his parents and his wives, he was predeceased by his beloved son, Emile F. “Emo” Gadoua who was Called Home on June 30, 2019; his dear brother, Leo Gadoua; and his four dear sisters, Rita Henault and her husband, Charles, Mary Windolowski and her husband, Frederick, Joan Darren, and Theresa M. “Terry” Barns and her husband Kemsie. His Funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The funeral home parking lot is located in the rear. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com