Obituary of Robert Brissette

"Robert A. "Breezy" Brissette, 77, died March 22 at Mercy Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born in Holyoke, August 5, 1930, he was the son of the late Alde and Amanda (LaBarre) Brissette, and was a lifelong resident of South Hadley. A proud veteran of the Korean War, he served with the 45th Infantry Division known as the Thunderbirds. He attained the rank of Sgt. 1st Class and received several service medals. A mason contractor by trade, Breezy worked in the family business of Alde Brissette & Son, Inc. for 50 years until his retirement in 1992. He was also a 30-year member of the Local 1 Bricklayer's Union and a member of the Chicopee Elks. Known as a fun loving guy, he participated for 8 years in the musicals at St. Theresa's Parish and was most recently a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of our Savior in S. Hadley. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 54 years, Marie D. (Desjardins) Brissette, along with his four children, Gail J. Annis and her fiancé Gary Golas of Southampton, Gary and his wife Susan of South Hadley, Cynthia Parenteau and her husband Rick of Springfield, Paul and his lifelong partner Rose Marie Laro of South Hadley, and his 9 cherished grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. He also leaves a sister Jeanne Cavanaugh of Holyoke, many nieces and nephews and his lifelong friends Autsie and Shirley Yahn of Southampton. Calling hours will be Wednesday, March 26 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story S. Hadley Funeral Home, 646 Newton St. with a Celebration of Life Service at 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of our Savior followed by burial in Notre Dame Cemetery. "