Obituary of Rene Jean DeMontigny

" Rene J. DeMontigny, 81, of Pine Grove Drive, died Wednesday at Bay State Medical Center. Born in Holyoke, August 21, 1922, he was the son of the late Ladislas De Montigny and Blanche (Rainville) DeMontigny Gagnier. Rene grew up and lived in Springfield for many years. He lived most of his married life in Holyoke before moving to S. Hadley in 1993. Rene and his brother in law founded Western Village Ski & Sport in Northampton in 1951 and continued in the business until his retirement in 1992. He was later involved in the S. Hadley Senior Travel Club and the Council on Aging along with the Friends of S. Hadley Elderly. Rene was also an ombudsman for the Mass. Council of Edlerly Affairs. In his leisure, he was an avid gardener, and a skilled pianist. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 55 years, Emilia (Tonelli) DeMontigny, along with his four brothers Norbert J. DeMont of Agawam, Charles U. DeMontigny of Punta Gorda, FL, Joseph E. DeMontigny of Rotonda West, FL, and Maurice E. DeMontigny of Chicopee. He also leaves a sister Lucille T. Gouin of Springfield, along with many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three infant brothers, along with two sisters Marguertie Mercier and Eva L. Mathieu. Funeral services will be Monday, December 1 from the Beers & Story S. Hadley Funeral Home, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Patrick's Church, S. Hadley. Rev. Ronald A. Mercier S. J., nephew, will be the presider at the mass. Burial will follow at St. Michael's Cemetery, Springfield. Callling hours are Sunday from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family requests that donations be made in lieu of flowers to Friends of S. Hadley Elderly, c/o S. Hadley Senior Center, 45 Dayton St., 01075"