Ralph N. Rachele

Ralph N. Rachele

LONGMEADOW - Ralph N. Rachele passed peacefully from this world on Wednesday, January 28th. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 63 years, Wanda (Cesarz) Rachele; his three daughters, Elaine and her husband Jerry Lupi of Georgia, Carol and her husband Gary Carlson of Ludlow, Mary Arnini of Coventry, CT; three sons, Ralph F. Rachele of Springfield, Thomas A. Rachele and his wife Carolyn of Virginia, and Walter J. Rachele and his wife Patricia of Maryland. He leaves 13 loving grandchildren, Anne Marie D'Amario, Dr. Michael Lupi, John Lupi, Maria Dion, Julie Jenne, Brian Rachele, Monica Houle, Allison Bayles, Thomas Rachele, Tracey Gamache, Amy St. Peter, Sarah and Jennifer Arnini; and 12 loving great-grandchildren, Katherine, Adrianna, Alex, Brandon, Mason, Joshua, Nicole, Kirsten, Jontae, Leo, Jayk and Laina. He is also survived by four sisters, Rose Cena, Millie Hoffman, Margaret LaFleche and Barbara Leroux. Ralph was predeceased by two sisters, Angie Rojewski and Theresa Choiniere; two brothers, Joseph and Felix Rachele. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends. Ralph was a W.W. II U.S. Army veteran. He retired from Hamilton Standard in 1979 after 30 years of service. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church. Gardening was a joy for Ralph and he took great pride in his large garden, always sharing his bounty with family and friends. Funeral service will assemble Monday morning, February 2nd at 8:45 a.m. from the Forastiere-Smith Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, 509 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. Burial to follow in Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St., Agawam. Visitation will be Sunday, February 1st from 2-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Baystate VNA & Hospice, 50 Maple St., P.O. Box 9058, Springfield, MA 01102-9058.