| Obituary | Sep 23, 2006 | OBITUARY: CHICOPEE - Robert E. A. Lafley, 90, a longtime resident of the Fairview section of Chicopee was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, September 19, 2006. He was born in Enosburg Falls, Vermont on March 28, 1916, a beloved son of the late Leo I. and Margaret (Limoges) Lafley. He moved to Fairview in 1962 and lived there until moving to Providence Place in Holyoke in September of 2005. In 1934, he served as a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1935 and served with Headquarters Battery of the 11th Coast Artillery and attained the rank of Private. He continued his military service in the United States Army during World War II and served with Company I of the 354th Infantry. He received the American Defense Service Medal with Clasp, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. Following World War II, he re-enlisted in the United States Air Force and served during the Korean War and received the National Defense Service Medal. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and retired in 1962 after serving his country faithfully for over 24 years. He moved to Fairview and was employed as a security guard at the former Milton Bradley Company in Springfield and retired in 1979. He was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Fairview where he served his parish for many years as an usher. He was a member of the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus and volunteered at many council functions, including their weekly bingo. He was also a charter member of the Fairview Assembly 2670, 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima, the Cursillo of the Diocese of Springfield and the Apostolate of the Suffering. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 353 in Willimansett, the VFW Post 625 in Chicopee, the Retired Air Force Association, the Air Force Memorial Foundation, a Hampden County Deputy Sheriff and a volunteer at Jericho in Holyoke. He was predeceased by his beloved wives, Mary M. (Janeczek) Lafley who was Called Home on January 21, 1990 and Rita Y. (Fleury) Lepine Lafley who was Called Home on December 4, 1998. He leaves his loving children, Robert P. Lafley and his wife Marcia of Denver, CO, Carol Ann Quinn of Belleview, FL, and Francis T. Lafley and his wife Nancy of Commerce City, CO. His loving step-daughters, Norma R. Gdula and her husband Chester of Chicopee and Linda D. Koske and her husband William of Chester, MA. His seven cherished grandchildren, his three cherished great-grandchildren and his four cherished step-grandchildren. His dear brother, Roland Lafley of Bellflower, CA. His dear brother-in-law, Roger Nadeau of Fairview. His dear sister-in-law, Theresa Chapdelaine of Chicopee. He also leaves many dear nephews, nieces and cousins and his good friend, Bill Wilson. His funeral will be held Tuesday morning, September 26, 2006 at 8:45 a.m. from the St. Pierre Phaneuf Fairview Chapels (Phaneuf-Blais), 506 Britton Street in Chicopee, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street in Fairview. His burial with Military Honors will follow the Mass at Saint Aloysius Cemetery on Berkshire Avenue in Indian Orchard. His family will receive friends at the funeral home in the Fairview Chapel on Monday, September 25, 2006 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home. For those who prefer to make a memorial donation, they may be made in his memory to Jericho, PO Box 1039, Holyoke, MA 01041-1039.
Published in The Republican (Springfield, MA) - September 23, 2006.4
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Robert Ethan Anthony Lafley 
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