CHICOPEE – Robert J. “Officer Bob” “Ziggy” Zygarowski, 80, of the Chicopee Falls section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Monday, March 24, 2025. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on July 4, 1944, a beloved son of the late Joseph S. and Gisele H. (Turgeon) Zygarowski Bernier. He was raised in Holyoke and South Hadley, graduated from South Hadley High School and moved to Chicopee in 1978 where he lived the remainder of his life. He furthered his education and received an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 1983 from Holyoke Community College. He was a Police Officer for 28 years for the City of Chicopee from 1974 to 2002, where he started the K-9 Unit and served as a canine officer from 1983 to 1990, he started and was a former Director of the D.A.R.E Program which he served from 1990 to 2002, was a Past President of Local #401 I.B.P.O, and a member of the Chicopee Patrolmen’s Association. He continued to serve his beloved community as an Councilor at Large from 2004 to present as well as Vice President of the Council. On August 1, 2021, Bob received recognition for 45 years of service from John L. Vieau, Mayor of Chicopee. He was a substitute teacher for 11 years from 2003 to 2014 at Dean Vocational High School in Holyoke. He was a former Vice President for the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club, Director of the Chicopee Municipal Employees Credit Union, a former Director of Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry, served on the Board of Directors for the Chicopee Visiting Nurse and Hospice, and was a Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was a member of the Hampden County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Massachusetts Retired Police and Firefighters Association, the Tiger’s Athletic Association, the Chicopee Lodge of Elks #1949, the Moose Family Center, the Sons of the American legion Post #275, and the Knights of Columbus Fairview Council 4044 and 4th Degree member of the Bishop Joseph F. Maguire Assembly 2670. He was a communicant of Mary, Mother of Hope Church in East Springfield and a longtime communicant of Saint Patrick Church in Chicopee where he served on the Parish Council. He was a die-hard New York Yankees fan. Most of all, he was a devoted husband, dad, and friend to many, always ready to offer a helping hand to anyone in need. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend, Patricia A. “Patti” (McDonald) Zygarowski. They were married on September 13, 1975 and were blessed with over 48 years of happiness together. He leaves his four loving children, Ryan J. Zygarowski and his partner, Joanne, of Chicopee, Sean E. Zygarowski and his wife, Jennifer, of Southwick, Robert J. Zygarowski, Jr. of New Port Richey, FL and Gina A. Zygarowski of Chicopee; his seven cherished grandchildren, Madison Lee Mackenzie, Jack Patrick Zygarowski, Robert James, Amanda Lynn, Shannon, Aliyah, and Mario; his many cherished great grandchildren; his dear brother, Joseph Zygarowski and his wife, Kim, of Gainesville, GA; his two dear sisters, Christine Zygarowski of Chicopee and Diane Obzanski of Palm Coast, FL; his dear brother-in-law, James McDonald of Brimfield; his dear sister-in-law, Nancy Bailly of Chicopee and Florida; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and numerous friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Michelle A. Zygarowski; his devoted stepfather, Martin Bernier; his cherished granddaughter, Alicia M. Rodrigues; his cherished grandson, Joseph Thomas; and his two dear brothers-in-law, Paul Obzanski and Gerald Robertson. His Funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:15 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA 01104. His Burial will follow the Mass at Saint Patrick Cemetery, 168 Fuller Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral home parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777, Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry, 170 Pendexter Avenue, Chicopee, MA 01013, or the Friends of the Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com