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Ronald J. LaPierre
July 20, 1935 ~ March 23, 2021 (age 85) 85 Years Old
LONGMEADOW - Ronald Joseph LaPierre, 85, of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, died Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family. Ronald was born in Ludlow, MA on July 20, 1935, to father, Ovila George LaPierre and mother, Yvonne Cecilia Fontaine. The third of ten children, Ronald graduated from Trade High School in 1954. Immediately thereafter, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He was stationed at the Panama Canal from 1954-1958. After being honorably discharged, Ronald returned to the Springfield area where he found employment at Smith & Wesson, where he worked for 36 years until his retirement in 1996. During this time, he studied in the evenings at Western New England College, where he received his BS in Business Administration and later, his MBA. He played and coached numerous teams in his youth, having been one of the original members of the Buick Aces baseball team, and was a Springfield All City selection in soccer while at Trade. In addition to soccer & baseball, he excelled in football and basketball. He continued for many years as a referee and a girls' soccer coach with the Pioneer Valley Soccer League. In 1961, he was introduced to his future wife, Dr. Hilda Marta Herrera-Sotolongo, while having lunch at the Nutty Goody Tea Room on Main St in Springfield. He remained devoted to her for 50 years, until her death in 2012. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s in Longmeadow & St. Martha’s in Enfield. Ronald enjoyed fishing, playing and watching sports, vacationing at their condo in Naples, FL, during the winter, and reading and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Ronald was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brothers George and Raymond, and his sister Loretta Clouse. He is survived by his sisters Phyllis McCarthy & Rachel Hermany, and brothers Richard, Donald, and Leon; his children Francoise LaPierre of Raleigh, Pierre LaPierre & spouse Mayerly of Raleigh, NC, Jean Paul LaPierre & spouse Waldirene of Weymouth & Yvonne-Marie LaPierre of Belchertown, MA; grandchildren Aimee Caresse, Timothy James, Daniel Santiago, Pierre Elias, Justin Charles, Jean Paul Ronald, Katelynd Faith, George Henri, Ronaldo Alves, Ana Clara, and 6 great-grandchildren. A visitation for Ronald is planned for Sunday, March 28th from 2-4 pm at the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St, E. Long., MA. All are invited to attend. Funeral services celebrating his life will be held Monday, March 29 at 9:45 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Church in Longmeadow at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Mausoleum, Springfield. Donations may be made Pioneer Valley Junior Girls Soccer League, c/o MA Youth Soccer, 512 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, MA 01523. For information & directions please visit: www.forastiere.com
Services
Visitation
Sunday March 28, 2021 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation 220 North Main Street East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Funeral Service
Monday March 29, 2021 9:45 AM Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation 220 North Main Street East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Liturgy of Christian Burial
Monday March 29, 2021 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM St. Mary's Church (Longmeadow) 519 Longmeadow Street Longmeadow, MA 01106
Interment
Monday March 29, 2021 12:00 PM Gate of Heaven Mausoleum 421 Tinkham Road
Springfield, MA
Cemetery
Gate of Heaven Most Holy Redeemer Mausoleum 421 Tinkham Road Springfield, MA 01129