AGAWAM - Edward J. Gregory, 93, of Agawam and a former longtime resident of Christopher Street in the Aldenville section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, December 14, 2019. He passed into Eternal Life at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family, his wonderful caregivers and his comrades-at-arms. He was born in Holyoke on August 26, 1926, a beloved son of the late Frank and Erminia (Dipre) Gregory. He was raised in the Willimansett section of Chicopee, graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Willimansett and had later lived in Aldenville before moving to Agawam in 2008. He served his country in the United States Army during World War II and attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. He served in the Southern Philippines and received the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Camp Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Chicopee and attended the former Holyoke Business School where he received an Associate’s Degree. He later received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from American International College in Springfield. He was employed as an Accountant at the former Uniroyal Tire Company in Chicopee and had last worked as an Accountant for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. He was a communicant of Saint John the Evangelist Church in Agawam and was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. During his leisure time, Ed enjoyed Saturday morning coffee at Cumberland Farms in Agawam and also enjoyed playing cards and shooting pool at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. He was a longtime volunteer at the Soldiers’ Home, the Chicopee Senior Center and volunteered preparing meals for seniors at Saint John the Evangelist Church. Most of all, he loved his family and his many friends. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Rita G. (Perreault) Gregory. They were married on June 17, 1950 at Saint Anne Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 69 years of happiness together. Besides his wife, he leaves his loving daughter and son-in-law, Sandra T. Dufault and her husband, Larry, of Agawam; his two cherished granddaughters whom he adored, Emilee R. Jurkowski and Rachel L. Jurkowski; his two dear brothers-in-law, Roland Perreault and Paul Samson, both of Chicopee; his dear sister-in-law, Terry Gregory of California; and his many cherished nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended members of the Gregory and Perreault families. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Laurie C. Gregory who was Called Home on December 12, 1981; and his four dear siblings, Lina LaFlamme, Domenic Gregory, Esther Perreault and Henry Gregory. His funeral will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His burial with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, December 19, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Because of his love for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com