Online Obituaries

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John L. Michon, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, on September 9, 2023. Born on November 29,1935 in Holyoke, he was the son of John Martin (Janusz) Michon and Mary B. Janas Michon. He married the love of his life, Nancy Marie Chartier on September 3, 1960. John and his wife Nancy were blessed with three children and four grandchildren. John loved quality time spent with family, especially on the beach at Drakes Island in Maine, as well as many trips spent with dear friends. He also loved sports, both playing and watching, In particular baseball, basketball, football and hockey. He was especially proud watching his children and grandchildren participate in their various sports activities. His strength and athleticism allowed him to play basketball with his granddaughters until the age of 86.  His good humor, big smile and warm greeting towards everyone he met was part of his warm personality. He was a kind, generous and thoughtful father, son, grandfather and husband. He was a devout Catholic who enjoyed attending Sunday mass at St. Stanislaus where he would carry his many prayer cards in his pocket and pray for family and friends who had departed and who he never failed to love. His interest in local politics, in particular working with local Congressmen and the Mayors of both Chicopee and Easthampton on a variety of important projects, was something he found great pleasure in and was also successful in securing funds for so many worthwhile causes. He had a gift for mentoring his younger colleagues in both real estate, insurance and life.  He was a source of strength for our entire family and will be missed dearly by Nancy, his wife of 63 years, and children Michael Michon, wife Stella Coughlin, of Longmeadow, MA, Melanie Michon of Pleasant Valley, NY, and Maureen Michon Gallant, husband Anthony Gallant, of Chicopee, MA; one grandson, Ryan Gallant; three granddaughters, Mia Gallant, Ellen Mary Coughlin Michon, and Samantha   Grace Coughlin Michon. John will also be missed by niece Robin Dzialo Hatton, husband Sean and nephew Todd Dzialo, wife Dianne. In addition, he will be missed by a large extended family, and his many friends and colleagues. John graduated from Cathedral High School in 1953 and Western New England College with a B.S. in Accounting in1971. A US Military Veteran, he proudly served his country from 1956-1958 as an Army Engineer and Sharpshooter, including 2 years in Germany. He was then employed for 38 years by Monarch Life Insurance Company, starting his career in Data Processing, and retiring as Vice President of Real Estate Development and Property Management. John’s idea of “retirement” included a second career in Residential/Commercial Real Estate sales, which he continued well into his 80’s. He especially enjoyed working with people to fulfill their dreams of buying or selling a home. For many years he also co-owned a limousine business with his father, John Sr., providing car service for weddings, funerals, and area events, including several sports and celebrity clients. John was always committed to serving the community. He coached 38ers Boys and Girls baseball, softball, and basketball for several years, and was a past Director of the Chicopee Boys Club. He was a past President of the Chicopee Jaycees and former Golf Commissioner at the Chicopee Country Club, appointed by Mayor Edward Ziemba and reappointed by Mayor John Moylan. John served on the Chicopee Visiting Nurses Board of Directors, the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Rotary Club – where he was a Paul Harris Award recipient – and was a lifetime member of the Chicopee Lodge of Elks. He volunteered in a variety of local nonprofit organizations always ready to lend a helping hand when asked.   In recent years he worked on the St. Stanislaus Basilica Building and Finance Committees. John proudly served as President of the Friends of the Chicopee Public Library for many years and was a Lifetime Member. In 1995, he spearheaded the Friends “Raise the Roof Campaign,” which raised $1.5 million in private funding to meet a $7 million total goal toward a new public library facility. Seeing the community come together for this effort was a great source of joy for John. He was proud to call Chicopee his home and even prouder of his strong Polish heritage.  Calling hours will be at Cierpial Memorial Funeral Home on 69 East Street in Chicopee Falls on Friday, September 15th, from 4pm to 7pm. John’s funeral will be on Saturday, September 16th, 9 am at the funeral home, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial in the Basilica of Saint Stanislaus, 566 Front Street, at 10am. Burial will be at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Chicopee. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Friends of the Chicopee Public Library, www.friendsofchicopeepubliclibrary.org/donations