WESTFIELD: Joseph K. Trant, 92, passed away on Saturday (September 12, 2015) at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. Born in Westfield, he was the son of the late Patrick and Katherine (Crean) Trant. He was a life-long resident of Westfield where he was a communicant of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. After graduating from Westfield High School in 1941, Joe worked at Pratt and Whitney in Connecticut until entering the U.S. Army in 1943. He proudly served his country from 1943 – 1945 and volunteered for Company G of the 175th Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division. He served under Major General Charles J. Gerhardt fighting in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe and met the Russian Army at the Elbe River outside of Berlin. He received the Bronze Star Medal and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm but was most proud of his Combat Infantryman Badge. Joe retired as a Vice President of International Paper’s Old Colony Envelope Division, where he had worked for 45 years. Joe was also Proprietor of Woodside Memorials. He proudly participated on the local and national political scene serving two terms on the Westfield City Council including one term as its President, as a member of the Westfield Housing Authority, Chairman of the Westfield Police Commission, 8 years on the Massachusetts Democratic Committee, and as an original supporter and advanceman for Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Joe was a member of American Legion Post 124, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chaplain of the New England Combat Infantry Association and a charter member of The Sons of Erin. Joe was also an avid golfer and scored a hole in one at Southwick Country Club. In recent years, he regularly enjoyed the activities and lunches of the Westfield Senior Center, but above all, enjoyed the camaraderie of the members and staff.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his loving wife of 56 years Dorothy (Strniste), his siblings Thomas, Ann and William and his nephews Michael and Daniel. He is survived by his children Jo-Anne, Thomas and wife Barbara, and John, all of Westfield, Gerald and wife Sharon of Niskayuna, NY and Richard of Agawam. Joe also leaves 11 grandchildren (Scott, Christopher, Jeffrey, Katie, Cory, Shaun, Carrie, Chelsea, Shannon, Patrick, and Tyler) and 5 great grandchildren, his sister-in-law Mary Trant and many nieces and nephews. Joe’s family is very appreciative of the wonderful care provided and kindness extended by the Comfort Care staff at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and at Baystate Medical Center to him and the entire Trant family during his final days.Calling hours will be held on Sunday, September 20th from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Firtion–Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. His funeral will begin on Monday, September 21st at 8:30 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament Church. The Rite of Committal and burial with military honors will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, all in Westfield.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s memory to the Friends of the Westfield Senior Center, PO Box 2184, Westfield, MA 01086 or the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. Firtionadams.com
