CHICOPEE – Norman J. Robillard, 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 22, 2024, at CareOne at Redstone in East Longmeadow. He was born at home on Grattan Street in Chicopee on May 24, 1938, a beloved son of the late Viateur and Simonne Robillard and was a lifelong resident of the city.
Norman received his high school diploma from La Salette Seminary. After leaving the Seminary, he worked his way through college and received his bachelor’s degree in pre-med from the University of Massachusetts. He served our country as a medic in the United States Army and later in the Army Reserve.
Norman was a technical writer who used his passion for details, as well as his knowledge of how things work, to create and maintain manuals for building jet engines for Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Connecticut. Outside of work, he enjoyed photography, sailing, woodworking, and bird watching. Most of all, he cherished his family and friends. He was generous with his time, tools, and skills, and was always willing to lend anyone a helping hand. He especially enjoyed vacationing at the Cape, sailing on the bay, and spending time with his family at Disney!
He was recently predeceased by his beloved wife and soul mate of nearly 60 years, Dolores M. (Niedbala) Robillard who passed on April 28, 2024. They met at Chicopee Manufacturing when he was working his way through college and were married at St. Stanislaus Church in May 1964.
He leaves his loving children, Michael N. Robillard and his wife, Carol, of Shrewsbury and Lynn M. Robillard and her partner, Ed Raleigh, of Wilbraham; his two adored grandsons, Nicholas and Zachary Robillard; his brother, Richard Robillard; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended family members. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Donald Robillard, Rene Robillard, Helen Walczak and Lucille Clark. The family would like to thank CareOne at Redstone for their care, compassion, and kindness over the past few months.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 594 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial will be private at the convenience of the family at Saint Stanislaus Cemetery in Chicopee.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory may be made to the American Lung Association, 1661 Worcester Road, No. 301, Framingham, MA 01701 (www.lung.org) or to the Development Office, Mass Audubon Association, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 (www.massaudubon.org). For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com