Obituary of Leo Paul Gravelin

"Leo P. Graveline, 84, of Beverly Street died Sunday at home. Born in the Three Rivers section of Palmer, June 23, 1924, he was the son of the late Joseph and Stephanie (Authier) Graveline. A lifelong resident, he proudly served his country during WWII in the Marine Corps, H & S 14th Regimen. His tour of duty included four islands; Roc-Anmur, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima, and he received a Silver Star for action on Saipan. He was proud to be a life member of the 4th Marine Division. During his working career, he spent 40 years with New England Telephone Company (now Verizon), retiring as a test man in 1985. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 53 years, Jacqueline (DeFoe), a son John P. of Palmer and 2 grandsons, Nicholas and Jacob. He also leaves two sisters Jeanne Griffin of Palmer and Rita (Gene) Wright of Three Rivers, and a brother Joseph "Flip" Graveline of Palmer. Additionally, his wife's family, Rosemary and William Pepper of FL, Louise & Kenneth Johnson of Southwick, Dr. Ronald and Mary Laviolette of Palmer, and Victor DeFoe and his partner James MacDonald of CA, along with many nieces and nephews also survive him. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by 5 siblings, Joseph, Harve, Charles (Chick), and James Graveline, and Blanche Reen. Calling hours will be Friday, December 12 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home, 1475 N. Main St., (Rte. 20) with a prayer service in the funeral home at 1:45 p.m. Burial with military honors will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Mass. Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Special thanks for the care given at Springfield Dialysis, especially to Dr. Slater, Dorinda and Mary. For those wishing, donations may be made in his memory to Palmer Senior Center, Central St, Palmer, 01069."