CHICOPEE ~ Lawrence P. “Cheetah” Dufault, 71, of the Willimansett section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. He passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on August 24, 1952, a beloved son of the late Paul R. and Elsie R. (Polverini) Dufault. He was raised in the Willimansett section of Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee High School and was a lifelong resident of Willimansett. He furthered his education and received an Associate Degree in Accounting from Holyoke Community College. Larry served his country during Vietnam in the United States Navy, attained the rank of Storekeeper Seaman Apprentice and received the National Defense Service Medal. He was employed for many years as a mail handler for the United States Postal Service at the Bulk Mail Center on Fiberloid Street in Indian Orchard. He was a communicant of the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Willimansett. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Elder Council 69 in Chicopee and was also a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a former member of the Tigers Athletic Club in Chicopee Falls. Most of all, he loved his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife of 48 years, Deborah M. (Moreau) Dufault; his three cherished sons, Todd P. Dufault of Chicopee, Andrew J. Dufault and Anthony J. Dufault, both of Springfield; his cherished granddaughter, Tylee Dufault and her partner Xavier Rodriguez; his cherished great-grandson, LeeLos Aiden Martinez-Dufault; his dear brother, Robert Dufault and his wife, Laurie, of Florida; his three dear sisters, Gloria Chouinard of Rhode Island, Nancy Stevens and Mark Nevins, of Chicopee, and Donna Garon and her husband, David, of Granby; his dear mother-in-law, Lorraine (Tougas) Russ of Ludlow; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended family members. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday morning May 17, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806) 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Navy Military Honors will follow the Prayer 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 Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Boy Scouts of America, Western Mass Chapter, www.wmascouting.org/memorial-tributefund. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com