WESTFIELD – Christopher J. Gianchetti, Sr., 95, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 14, 2013 in Westfield. Born July 25, 1918, he was the son of the late Domenico and Maria (Catalano) Gianchetti. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, of 64 years, Helen J. (Szalda) Gianchetti, October 1, 2008.Christopher was a longtime employee of Stanley Home Products, both in Westfield and the Easthampton plants. He was the foreman of the Brush Department, and a member of the company’s bowling, golf and ping-pong teams. He enjoyed attending get-togethers of the “25-Year Club” and the reunions at Stanley Park where he was honored, this year, as the employee with the most years of service.
He was very proud of having served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. He was one of the “Black Hole Gang” who manned the engine room of the U.S. Cutter Northland in the waters of Greenland and Iceland. The Northland is credited with making the first capture of WWII and assisting in the rescue of crew members of military planes that crashed on the Greenland icecaps. He met the love of his life, Helen, when she was a waitress at the Park View “lunch room.” She later joined the U.S. Navy, and they were married, in uniform, May 31, 1944.
Christopher attended Westfield Trade School, Class of 1937, and was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Westfield where he presided over the last pew at Saturday’s 4:00 p.m. Mass until summer of this year. He was a member of the Italian Fraternal Club and a former member of Tekoa Country Club where he accomplished three holes-in-one. He enjoyed the Red Sox, woodworking , home projects, visiting with his wonderful neighbors on Carroll Drive, and going out to eat… especially to Mrs. Murphy’s with his grandson and good buddy Keith, Jr. To the end, he kept his very sharp sense of humor, snappy comebacks, and full head of silver hair.
He leaves his three sons; Christopher J. Jr. and wife Patricia of Westfield, Richard of Castle Rock, CO, and Gary, Sr. and his wife Carol of Southampton; three daughters, Marie Brazee and husband Gary of Westfield, Gina Gianchetti and wife Annie Maloney of Duxbury and Lori Lemon and husband Keith, Sr. of Westfield; seven grandchildren, David Gianchetti and Lisa Culpepper of Henderson, NV, Gary Gianchetti, Jr. of Boston, Kristen Gianchetti of Easthampton, Keith Lemon Jr. of Westfield, Benjamin Brazee of Westfield, Maggie Maloney of Duxbury, and great-granddaughter, Amanda Culpepper of Las Vegas. He also leaves a sister, Mary Lafreniere of Westfield and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph Gianchetti and sisters; Angelina Root, Racheal Galcenski, and Rose Pioretta.
The funeral will take place Thursday, September 19th at 9:30 a.m. at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Bartlett Street in Westfield. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Westfield. Calling hours will take place Wednesday, September 18th, from 4:00-7:30 p.m.
Memorial donations in Christopher’s name may be made to: Stanley Park Partner In Preservation Fund, P.O. Box 1191, Westfield, MA. 01085.
