George Opalenik

"Belchertown, George Opalenik, 86, of Pine Valley Plantation, passed away peacefully on April, 8, 2009 at Mary Lane Hospital, Ware, with his family by his side. Born October 7, 1922 in South Hadley, MA, he was the son of the late Michael and Elizabeth (Danaco) Opalenik. He was a 1939 graduate of South Hadley High School and proudly served his country in the Navy during WWII. He was a communicant of St. Francis Church. George owned and operated a dairy farm in Belchertown for over 20 years and truly loved farming. He also worked as a supervisor for several paper mills in Holyoke before his retirement in 1986. George was a member of Mill Valley Golf Course, Belchertown VFW and the Belchertown American Legion. He was a wonderful husband and the best dad ever. He leaves his loving wife of 64 years, Gertrude (Blanan) Opalenik, his three sons, George "Mike" and Mel of Ware, Robert and his wife Ann of Belchertown, and Christopher and his wife Cindy of Greenfield, his six daughters, Sandra Bronner of Thorndike, Susan Bacon and her husband Keith of New Britain, CT, Loretta Lund of Belchertown, Mary and Ken Jensen of Stamford, VT, Elizabeth and Charlie Rogers of Belchertown, and Ruth and Tom Balbony of Granby. He is also survived by his 19 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. George was predeceased by his eight siblings, John, Michael, Charlie, Steve, Elisabeth, Anne, Mary Ann, and Alice. His sister-in-law, Rita Kusek of Osterville and two brother- in- laws, Harold Darcy of Chicopee, and Walter Mercier of South Hadley also survive him. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 14 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis Church, family and friends may gather at the funeral home by 8:45 a.m. Burial will follow in South Cemetery. Calling hours will be from 4 -7 p.m. on Monday. Donations in George's memory may be made to the St. Francis Building Fund, 20 Park Street, Belchertown, MA 01007. Online condolences at www.beersandstory.com "