WESTFIELD – My dear husband and best friend passed away at home after a devastating stroke from which he was unable to recover. We were happily married for 57
years and during that time we celebrated a fulfilling life.
Chuck was born in Westfield on January 13, 1942, to two loving pre-deceased parents, George and Eileen. He graduated from Westfield Trade School and went on to enlist in the United States Army where he served in Germany during the Berlin crisis which was a series of cold war confrontations between the Soviet Union and the United States. After receiving an honorable discharge from the military, he pursued a career as a long-haul freight driver. He enjoyed working for Spector Freight and made many friends between here and Pennsylvania, which is where he met his wife, Jeanne. Later in his career he worked for Consolidated Freight, and his last career move led him to driving CT and MRI equipment at many hospitals throughout New England. He eventually became a supervisor for the company and retired after a very rewarding career.
His sense of community was strong, and he was a very giving person. He was one of the first volunteer EMTs in the town of Southwick and served his community as a volunteer firefighter for decades. He eventually rose to the position of Deputy Chief before retiring. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Southwick Recreation Center and enjoyed volunteering as an umpire for the boy’s little league. He loved traveling in his RV and had the opportunity to enjoy Maine with his wife, NASCAR races with his family and spending winters in Florida. During the summer he enjoyed spending his time with his family swimming at home and taking time to relax on Congamond Lake in his boat. Tubing with his family was a favorite summertime activity.
Chuck leaves behind his wife Jeanne, his son Chuck Jr and his wife Jackie of Suffield, his son Christopher of Westfield, his grand-daughter Jenna and her husband Blake, his grandson Garrett, his great grandson Yarrow whom he truly adored. He also leaves his bonus family members Maddie and Austin. He leaves behind his special sisters-in-law and their husbands. Kitty and Dick, Sandy and Rod, and Dottie and Tim of Pennsylvania. He also leaves his brothers-in-law Sonny, and Donnie and his wife Barb, and Chuck and Shirley, also of Pennsylvania. He leaves many nephews and nieces and countless forever friends. He leaves his cousins, including Diane Elander, and Skip French. Most importantly he leaves behind a lasting impression upon the community that he served.
Calling hours will take place from 3:00PM-6:00PM on Wednesday December 10,2025 at Southwick Forastiere Funeral & Cremation, 624 College Highway, Southwick. A funeral home service will take place at 11:30AM, Thursday December 11, 2025. Burial with military honor will follow in the New Cemetery, Southwick. In memoriam, please consider donating to Beacon Hospice, 815 Worcester St, in Springfield, MA 01151. Or Our Lady of the Lake Church, Sheep Pasture Road, in Southwick, MA 01077. www.forastiere.com
