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- The Republican, 6 Jan 2005
George L. Bessette, 1924-2005
CHICOPEE - George L. Bessette, 80, of the Willimansett section of Chicopee was Called Safely Home on Monday, January 3, 2005 from his home with his loving family by his side. He was employed for 45 years as an assembler at the former Worthington Pump Company in Holyoke, which later became the Atlas Copco Company and retired in 1987 as a group leader. He served his country in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and attained the rank of Private First Class. He served in the South Pacific and participated in action against the enemy on Iwo Jima and Guam. He was wounded in action and received a Purple Heart Medal. He was born in Holyoke on July 11, 1924 a beloved son of the late Ernest I. and Rhea M. (Couture) Bessette and moved to Willimansett in 1948. He was a communicant of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Willimansett where he served the parish as an Acolyte, Usher and a longtime Bengo worker. He was also a trustee and past president of the League of the Sacred Heart and was a recipient of their Medal of Honor. He also served on the committee and was a counselor for the Nativity Church Boy Scout Troop 424. He was a past president of the Easthampton Sportsmen Club and past president of the Granby Bowmen. He was an avid sportsman and was a Gold Medalist in the Archery Division of the Senior Games. He was also a member of the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus. His beloved first wife, Doris (Desroches) Bessette was Called Home on November 24, 1981. He leaves his beloved wife, of nearly 20 years, Bernice (Wilder) Kinney Bessette. His loving children, Joan Lepkowski and her husband Charles of Springfield, Allan Bessette and his wife Paula of Gig Harbor, WA, and Louise Chartier and her husband Leonard of Chicopee. His loving step-children, Susan Makijczyk and her husband Stefan of Southbury, CT, Scott Kinney and his wife Sharon of Somers, CT and Lynda Kinney of Springfield. His five cherished grandchildren, Carolyn Allard and her husband Douglas of Westfield, Robert Lepkowski and his wife Maria of Springfield, Eric and Jean Bessette of Seattle, WA and Celeste Chartier of Chicopee. His four cherished step-grandchildren, Kirsten and Karla Makijczyk and Alex and Ashley Kinney. His two cherished great-grandchildren, Benjamin Allard and Barielle Manning. His sisters and brothers, Cecile Patryn of South Hadley, Claire Gladu and her husband Norman of West Springfield, Albert Bessette and his wife Joan of Granby, Priscilla Boyce of Richmond, MA and Gerard Bessette and his wife Bobbie of Hamden, CT. His sisters-in-law, Olga Bessette of Agawam and Corinne Bessette of Chicopee. His brother-in-law, Charles Scladenhauffen of New Hampshire and his many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his brothers, Joseph and Paul Bessette and his sister, Annette Scladenhauffen. His funeral will be held Saturday morning January 8, 2005 at 8 a.m. from the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, 13 Dale Street at the junction of Grattan Street in Chicopee followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 780 Chicopee Street in Willimansett. His burial with military honors will follow the Mass at Notre Dame Cemetery on Lyman Street in South Hadley. His family will receive friends at the funeral home in the Rose Chapel on Friday, January 7, 2005 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home off of Lafayette Street. For those who prefer to make a memorial donation, they may be made in his memory to the Baystate Visiting Nurse and Hospice, PO Box 9058, Springfield, MA 01102-9058.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1924 - 2005 (80 years)