CHICOPEE – Richard W. “Vince” Vincellette, 85, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Friday, February 23, 2024. He passed into Eternal Life at the Pioneer Valley Health and Rehabilitation in South Hadley surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on June 12, 1938, a beloved son of the late Alexander and Imelda (Dubuc) Vincellette. In his younger years, he lived in Chicopee Falls and South Hadley, graduated from South Hadley High School, Class of 1956, and lived in Chicopee for most of his life. He served his country during the Vietnam War in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. He served his country for over 22 years and received numerous medals and citations. He was stationed at many bases across the country, in the South Pacific, Europe, and the Philippines, before returning to Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee. Vince was a sports enthusiast who loved bowling, golfing, and fishing. He was a AAA Baseball Umpire as well as a Basketball Referee, he officiated for many youth sports leagues, and also coached softball for his service team. He loved horse racing and often would “bet on the ponies.” He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Elder Council 69, and the Moose Family Center, both in Chicopee, and the Western Mass. Dart League. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Michaline “Mitzi” (Kowal) Staszko Vincellette who was Called Home on February 19, 2024. They were married on June 2, 1972 at Saint Anne Church in Chicopee and they were blessed with over 51 years of happiness together. He leaves his four children, Paul R. Vincellette of Ludlow, Lynn M. Wright and her husband, David, of Connecticut, Ann M. Reno of Ludlow, and Mark A. Vincellette and his wife, Linda, of Hadley; his five step children, Cynthia A. Brown and her husband, Toby, of Russell, Mitchell E. Staszko and his wife, Jean, of Belchertown, Mark A. Staszko and his wife, Mary, of Carlisle, PA, Kimberly A. Blair and her husband, James, of Easthampton, and Eric M. Staszko and his wife, Lynette, of Chicopee; his 15 cherished grandchildren, Dustin Gray and his wife, Allison, Joshua Rivera, Billy Reno, Sarah Dupuis, Alexander Vincellette, Brandi Cardona and her husband, Vincent, Brett Staszko, Brandon Staszko, Mitchell Staszko and his partner, Laida Maiolatesi, Mark Staszko Jr. and his wife, Colleen, William Stewart III and his wife, Diana, Timothy Stewart and his wife, Alice, Kristen Irizarry and her husband, Robert, Alexander Staszko, and Anthony Staszko and his wife, Miranda; his 15 cherished great grandchildren; his two dear nieces, Jeanne Lemke of West Springfield and Carol Emery of Leverett; and his extended family members and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his loving daughter, Tracey Vincellette; his grandson, Nathan Gray; his sister, Julie Lemke and her husband, Clarence; his four sisters in law, Nellie Ahearn and her husband, Michael, Veronica Kowal, Jennie Timmons and her husband, Joseph, and Amelia Day and her husband, Leonard; his brother in law, Mitchell Kowal. His family would like to thank the staff at Compassus Hospice and the Certified Nurse Assistants at the Pioneer Health and Rehabilitation Center, for their care and compassion to Vince and Mitzi and the family. His Funeral will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9 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 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 Thursday, February 29, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral home parking lot is located in the rear. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 7585616, Topeka, KS 66675-8516. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com