Anicet Joseph Canuel

"Belchertown - Anicet Joseph Canuel, 98, passed away on July 30, 2019 with his wife by his side. Born September 25, 1920 in Saint Antoine de Padoue, Quebec, Canada, he was the son of Antonin and Florentine (Otis) Canuel. Growing up in a large family in Canada, "Joe" moved to Maine and then Springfield. Since 1973, the family has lived in Belchertown. As a welder and lumberjack, Joe was very handy and always puttering around his home. He loved to dance and play the harmonica and accordion. In fact, music is what brought Joe and his wife, Rita, together. As a devout Catholic, Joseph was a longtime communicant of St. Francis Church in Belchertown. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 69 years, Rita (Gagne), along with their children, Constance Canuel of Springfield, Daniel Canuel of CT, Coleen and David Smolinski of Ludlow, Angela and Thomas Bamber of Ludlow, Philip and Margarita Canuel of Belchertown, Pamela Canuel of Belchertown. He also leaves 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild along with extended family in Canada. He was predeceased by his son, Alexis Canuel in 2007. Visitation will be held Tuesday Aug 13th for Anicet and his wife Rita from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. Friends and family may gather at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home to form a procession to St. Francis Church for a 10:00 a.m. Mass. Burial will follow in South Cemetery. Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Services are pending at this time and will be updated when finalized. Donations may be made in his memory to St. Francis Church, PO Box 612, Belchertown, MA 01007."