John C. Joyal Sr.

John C. Joyal, 96, passed away peacefully Monday, December 2, 2019 surrounded by his family at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. Born November 29, 1923 in Springfield, MA, he was a son to the late George and Mary (Gould) Joyal and lived in Longmeadow for over 50 years. John served his country proudly in the US Army and was a member of the 101st Airborne Division and part of the 506th Parachute Infantry serving in Rhineland, the Ardennes and Central Europe during WWII. He fought in battles to include the Battle of the Bastogne. He made 13 jumps during his service time and earned the distinguished Unit Badge, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon, American Theater Campaign Ribbon and the Bronze Star. After his service, John worked as a mason and contractor, eventually owning his own contracting company. John will be remembered as a kind and social man who loved his family. A true gentleman. His beaming smile and gentle nature as evidenced through his ways of caring for others will be missed by his large and loving family, including his beloved wife of over 75 years Evelyn (Polcetti) Joyal; his children Francine Calvanese and her husband Alphonse of Longmeadow, MA, Mary Joyal of Belchertown, MA and John Joyal Jr. and his wife Kelly of Longmeadow, MA. He will also be missed by his 10 grandchildren: John, Alphonse, Glen and Michael Calvanese, Chuntelle Warchelak, Mariah Waite and Trevor, Katelyn, Robert and Carly Joyal; and his 11 great-grandchildren. John’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Holyoke Soldier’s Home and the Hospice of the Fisher Home for the special care given. A gathering of family and friends for John will be held from 9-10AM on Monday, December 9, 2019 from Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St., Agawam, MA with a funeral service beginning at 10AM at the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040. For online condolences, please visit www.forastiere.com.