Obituary for William "Bill" Avezzie
William “Bill” Avezzie, age 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, entered into eternal rest on April 14th 2009 at Baystate Medical Center. He was born in Springfield, Mass. to Louise M. (Regnault) Avezzie and Thomas T. Avezzie, but lived most of his life in Ludlow, Mass. He graduated from Ludlow High School’s class of 1938 where he was an outstanding athlete, having played hockey, basketball, and baseball and will be inducted April 25th into the Ludlow High School Sports Hall of Fame. He was the first athlete from Ludlow who made the Greater Springfield All Stars as a catcher. He also played baseball for the Columbian Squires and made the Triple A All Stars while playing for the Chapman Valve Manufacturing Company, where he worked as a production coordinator. He once batted against Satchell Paige, the prominent black All-Star pitcher and played football for the Ludlow Panthers and Ludlow Tigers as an all-star running back. He was a Charter Member of the Unity Athletic Club, a member of the Indian Orchard Knights of Columbus, a lifetime member of the Chicopee Elks #1849, and served 7 years as Vice Chairman of the Ludlow Country Club, where he was an honorary member where he had three holes in one. He served for 7 years on the Ludlow Board of Selectman from 1967 to 1974. Following his service as Selectman, he was appointed to serve as a Director-Commissioner to the Westover Metropolitan Development Commission. He served for 18 years and was instrumental in bringing business and industry to Ludlow and Chicopee, creating jobs and tax revenues. He served as Secretary-Vice Chairman of the Ludlow High School building and survey committee. He was awarded the Paul Harris Good Fellow Distinguish Citizen’s Medal. It is the highest award given by the Rotary Club to those who have served in many areas of community service. He was a life-long Red Sox fan, loved playing cards, ballroom dancing, and playing golf (having achieved three holes-in-one). He was a communicant at the St. Mary’s of Assumption Catholic Church in Ludlow. He was married to his wonderful wife, Louise M. (Leone), for 54 years who predeceased him in May of 1995. They were the beloved parents of three daughters, Mrs. Mary Bonsiewicz married to Michael of Ohio; Peggy Baldrate, married to Gene Baldrate of Florida; and Betty Holmes, married to Patrick of Tennessee. He leaves six beautiful grandchildren–Karen and Bill Bonsiewicz of Ohio; Kelly Baldrate (Grynberg) of Oklahoma; Brian Baldrate or Virginia; Amy Holmes of Florida; and Katie (Holmes) Leccese of Ct. He was the proud great-grandfather of five beautiful children and leaves behind his beloved companion, Pauline Morando, of CT. Also predeceasing him were two brothers, Raymond and Thomas Avezzie; and two sisters, Margaret Focosi and Catherine Lecuyer. Funeral services will be held on Monday April 20th, 2009 at 9:00am from the Ludlow Funeral Home with a Liturgy of Christian Burial beginning at 10:00am in St. Mary of the Assumption Church followed by burial in Island Pond Cemetery. Calling hours are Sunday afternoon from 2:00-5:00pm and in lieu of flowers donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Randall’s Boys and Girls Club, Claudia Way, Ludlow, MA. 01056 or the Jimmy Fund Western Massachusetts Office 171 Park Ave, West Springfield, MA. 01089.
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