HOLYOKE

Ralph A. Goudreau, 84, of Holyoke passed away on April 26, 2017 after a brief illness. Born in Saint Valentin, Quebec on February 4, 1933, Ralph was the son of the late Alphonse and Rina (Caron) Goudreau.  He was a graduate of Precious Blood High School and served in the US Army. He retired from U.S. Tsubaki (formerly Acme Chain) in 1989.  Ralph was a communicant of Our Lady of the Cross, proud scout leader for Holyoke Troop 622 and member of the Holyoke Elk’s Lodge. He enjoyed watching all the New England sports teams but his greatest joy was attending his grandchildren’s many sporting events, dance recitals, and school performances. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife Jean McGovern, his second wife Shirley Gorajec, his son Patrick Donahue, his brother, Roger Goudreau; and sisters, Yvette Potvin, Rollande Labrie, Cecile Phaneuf and Jeannette Gadbois. A devoted father and grandfather, he leaves his daughter Laurie Nicewicz and her husband Joseph of Merrimack, NH; three sons Daniel Donahue and his wife Cindy of Westfield, MA; Matthew Donahue and his wife Vickie of Leyden, MA; and Gary Goudreau and his wife Susan of Stuart, FL; thirteen grandchildren, Christine Ferguson and her husband Derek; Caity Rodgers and her husband Mark; Kayla Console and her husband Mitch; Nicole Michaud and her husband Patrick; Marcus Goudreau; McKenzie Goudreau; Lindsey Nicewicz; Ashley Donahue; Timothy Donahue; Jeffrey Donahue; Emily Donahue; Savannah Donahue; and Nathaniel Malecki; one great granddaughter, Mallory Ferguson; two sisters, Claire Bukowski and Theresa Goudreau and her husband, Fred Wegrzyn; many nieces, nephews and extended family. He also leaves his dear friend and constant companion of the past ten years, Claire Zabecki of Holyoke. The family would like to thank the staff at the Wound Care Center and the 5^th floor nursing staff at Mercy Medical Center for their compassionate care for Ralph and his family during this difficult time. A Funeral Mass will be held Monday at 10:00am in Our Lady of the Cross Parish Church followed by burial in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00pm at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ralph’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 59 Bobala Rd. Holyoke, MA 01040 or The Wound Center at Mercy Medical Center, Fund Development, 271 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01102.