Felipe N. Pantoja, Jr.

Felipe N. Pantoja, Jr., 83, of Westfield, passed away at his home on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. He was born in San German, Puerto Rico, son of the late Felipe N. Pantoja and Maria Antonia Ortiz-Martinez and was educated there. Felipe had lived in the Holyoke area since 1970, and was a teacher in the Holyoke School System for 34 years, retiring in 2004. Felipe also served as the Director of Bilingual Studies for the Holyoke School System. He was a man of faith and belonged to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish for many years, where he was Director of CCD.  Committed to educating the Latino community in Holyoke, he taught Spanish to English classes for adults at Kelly School, he founded the Hispanic Institute, and published the first Puerto Rican newspaper in Holyoke. Felipe was an avid gardener and belonged to the Dominican Religious Order. He is survived by his daughter Laura  Maria and her husband Joseph, Maria Laura Pantoja and Rosa Maria Pantoja. He has 5 grandchildren Shawn, Rya, Joey, Melody and Aria. And 2 great grandchildren Nova and Atlas.  His brother Juan Ortiz Pantoja and his wife Lavinia, extended nephews, nieces,  and godchildren. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the wonderful caregivers that assisted Felipe over the past years.The funeral will be held on Monday, October 30th at 11:00 am from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am in Immaculate Conception Chapel, 54 North Summer Street, both in Holyoke. Burial will be held in Forestdale Cemetery West, Rock Valley Road, Holyoke. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Monday morning from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

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