WESTFIELD: Dennis R. Yefko, 79, passed on March 15, 2021 after a brief illness.
Born on August 26, 1941 to Leon and Stacia (Prystowski) Yefko and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1958. He enlisted in the US Army in January 1962 and was stationed at White Sands Missile Range during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was assigned to the 515 ORD Detachment, Weisbaden Germany when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. He was honorably discharged at the rank of SP-5 (E-5) in late December 1964. He met his soulmate in December 1964 and married her, Elizabeth (Betti) J. LaPlante, in September 1966. He worked at New England Telegraph and Telephone, now Verizon, for 33 plus years as a switchman in the C.O. and Toll Test. An avid golfer, he had two holes in one in his playing career. He was a member of St. Ann’s Country Club in Agawam and was a member of “The Original Foursome” with his best friends Fred, Luge and Zeke. He was Past Master of the Mt. Moriah Masonic Lodge in Westfield and twice Past Master Huntington Federal Masonic Lodge, in Russell. He was the last Finance Officer Adjutant for the American Legion Whip City Memorial Post 454 in Westfield. He was a driving force in the designation of Route 202 as the Purple Heart Trail throughout Westfield.
Besides his wife Betti, Dennis was blessed with three cherished daughters: Krista Chechile of Westfield, Vicki and her husband Jon Drake of Centerville, MA, and Lisa Freeman and her fiancée Clarke Boynton of Granville. He was the favorite “Bumpa” of grandchildren Michael “Mickey” Chechile and his wife Renee (Lopez), Coral Freeman and her boyfriend Patrick Pucillo of Upton, MA, Jesse and his girlfriend Holden Mechachonis, Cooper Chechile all of Westfield. Mickey and Renee blessed him with a great-granddaughter, Adilynn, in 2018. Dennis asked that we not forget his extended family of cousins and in-laws: John and Betty Prystowski of Florence, Lana (Fred) Johnson of Springfield (his “favorite”), Debbie (Rob) Abrams of Killingworth, CT, Todd Cohan of Springfield, Dori (Craig) Cohan of East Windsor, CT, and Alan and Bobbi LaPlante of Clearwater, FL.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 19th from 4-7 pm at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. A funeral Mass will take place on Saturday at 10:30 am in St. Mary’s Church, 30 Bartlett Street, Westfield. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Donations may be made in Dennis’ name to the Shriners or any animal rescue organization. After 54 years of marriage, it breaks his heart to leave his family. He will be sorely missed by all and especially Phredd, his adopted cat. Firtionadams.com
