Obituary of Robert A. Devoto

"Robert A. Devoto, 73, of Telegraph Ave., died on September 8 at his home surrounded by and in the loving care of his family. Born in Rahway, NJ, April 29, 1934, he was the son of the late John and Amelia (Gall) Devoto. He was raised in Winfield Park, NJ, and later joined the Air Force. A proud Veteran, he spent 21 years serving at various duty stations around the world. Robert was a Korean War veteran and served gallantly with the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing "Gunfighters" for over one year in Da Nang, Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. He received several medals, commendations, and citations for his service. While in the Air Force, he and his family maintained a home in Chicopee, where he was a communicant of St. Anne’s Church. Following retirement from the Air Force, he worked in various fields of endeavor, and later in life, worked part time for Balise Lexus in W. Springfield and became a 3rd Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 45 years, Daryl (Moat) Devoto, along with his three sons Mark J. and his wife Yvette of Belchertown, Keith F. who is stationed in the Navy in Norfolk, VA, and Christopher A. of Chicopee. He also loved and leaves his three precious grandchildren, Nicholas, Anna and Matthew. He was an admired, charismatic individual who brought a smile and laughter to everyone with whom he came in contact. He will be greatly missed by all. Friends and family may gather on Friday, September 14 at 10:15 a.m. at the Beers & Story S. Hadley Funeral Home, 646 Newton St., (Rte 116) to process to St. Anne’s Church, 30 College St., Chicopee, for a liturgy of Christian burial which will begin at 11:30 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Agawam at 1:00 p.m. Calling hours will be Thursday, September 13 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. For those wishing, donations may be made in his memory to Massachusetts General Hospital Research Fund, (Carlos Fernandez-del Castillo, MD), 15 Parkman St, Boston, MA 02114. "