William R "Bill" Freitag

William R. Freitag, 88, of Chicopee, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Sixteen Acres Health Care Center surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 23, 1936 in Holyoke and was the son of the late Charles E. and Leona (Senneville) Freitag. William retired as a CSX Freight Train Conductor. He was an Air Force veteran during the Korean War and was discharged from the National Guard of Massachusetts, serving with Company "E", the 104th Infantry. Besides his parents, William was predeceased by his infant daughter Tracy and his brother Charles Freitag, Jr. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Cheryl (Biela) Freitag, his daughter Gina Santiago and her husband, Antonio of Longmeadow, his son Todd Freitag and his wife Krystyna of Chicopee, his sister Marion Gadoury and her husband Robert of Chicopee, and eight grandchildren: Alexandra, Carly, Gabriella, Mia, Ava, Antonio II, Nicholas, and Nathan.

Bill was blessed with a witty sense of humor that everyone who knew him enjoyed. He loved to travel with his wife, sister and brother-in-law to many places including Las Vegas and the Bahamas. He was an avid golfer and a huge fan of the golf channel. His enthusiasm for classic cars extended especially to his beloved '61 red Corvette and '55 pink Cadillac, both convertibles. Bill enjoyed Sunday family dinners followed by playing pitch and especially the "money game" with his grandchildren.

Calling hours are on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 11 am to 12:30 pm at the Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home on 69 East Street in Chicopee, with a funeral home service at 12:30 pm. Burial will be at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St. in Agawam at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 330 Whitney Ave. Holyoke, MA 01040.