CHICOPEE – Robert D. “Bob” Mashia, 85, of Daybrook Village Senior Living in Holyoke and a longtime resident of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, February 10, 2025. He passed into Eternal Life at Holyoke Medical Center surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Barre, Vermont on February 11, 1939, the beloved son of the late Harold R. and Alma E. (Gilbert) Mashia. He was raised in Barre, graduated from Spaulding High School and completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Vermont. In 1963, he received an MBA from Western New England College in Springfield. Bob was a thirty-seven year employee of Monsanto/Solutia Corporation in Indian Orchard. He was a director of the Monsanto Employees, First Pioneer, and Valley Stone Credit Unions, and a member of the Chicopee Kiwanis Club. Bob was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee. He was one of the first Eucharistic Ministers in the Diocese of Springfield, appointed in 1973 and served in that role for over fifty years. Bob also was a member of the Men’s Club, Parish Council, Finance Committee, and Pre-Cana Team. He participated in the planning of the annual Family Picnic and many other parish events for years. Bob was a Third Degree Member of Knights of Columbus Fairview Council 4044 where he could be seen collecting tickets at their monthly Spaghetti Supper. When his son, Dan became old enough to join Scouting, Bob served as a Cub Scout Leader and Committee Member with Pack 424 in Willimansett. When they crossed over into Boy Scouts, Bob served as Scoutmaster and Committee Chair. He and Dan traveled to many national Scout Jamborees in Virginia. Because of his dedication, Bob was recognized with many Scouting honors, including the Distinguished Commissioner, Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow, District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver and Saint George Awards. Bob served nearly twenty years as the Springfield Diocese Scout Chairman, connecting his Catholic faith with Scouting. He served on the National Catholic Committee on Scouting and was the recipient of the Silver Saint George Award. Bob was also a registered Girl Scout leader for over twenty years. He loved to travel and was blessed to have visited thirty-one countries and forty-nine of the United States, documenting these trips in scrapbooks. His love for travel carried over as a tour planner with the Chicopee Senior Center. He enjoyed crafting itineraries to bring others to hidden gems across New England. He was both an officer and member of the Western Mass Model A Ford Restorers Club for many years, after inheriting his grandfather’s 1929 Tudor Ford. Bob was selected for the AARP Andrus Award in 2003 as the Massachusetts Chapter Volunteer of the Year. He was a lifetime member of the Franklin (VT) Historical Society, currently headquartered in a log cabin built by his great-grandfather. However, he mostly enjoyed spending time with his wife and family. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Jacqueline M. “Jackie” (Rioux) Mashia. They were married on September 7, 1963 at Saint George Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 61 years of happiness together. He also leaves his three loving and devoted children, Daniel J. Mashia of Chicopee, Diane M. Mashia of Rochester, NY, and Linda R. McNamee and her husband, Paul, of Burlington, MA; his two cherished grandchildren, Gwyneth and Evan McNamee; his dear sister, Claire Oberman of Trinity, FL; his dear sister-in-law, Irene Choquette of Lebanon, CT; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends. His Funeral will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025 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 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 on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made in Bob’s memory to the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund, 1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020 or to Scouting America Western Mass. Council, 1 Arch Road, No. 5, Westfield, MA 01085. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com