"Palmer, Joseph �Al� L. Labonte, 84, died peacefully on January 11, 2011. Born in Chicopee, June 12, 1926 he was the son of Joseph Edouard and Marie (Proulx) Labonte. He grew up in Chicopee and lived in Granby for many years before moving to Palmer in 1963. A proud veteran, he served in the Navy during WWII. Joseph�s life work was carpentry and construction, working for many years as an independent contractor. He later worked for Daniel O�Connell Construction in Holyoke, retiring in1988. He was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Palmer. In his leisure, Joe enjoyed spending time in his boat and water skiing, helping his children build and remodel their homes, or simply puttering in his garage. He and his wife, Bessie, spent many wonderful winters in Florida following their retirement. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 64 years, Bessie (Montos) Labonte, along with his 6 children Susan Williams and her partner Edward of VT, Catherine Cloutier of DE, Elaine Phifer and her husband Stephen and Diane Hazen and husband Stuart, all of Brimfield, David Labonte and his partner Stacy of Palmer and AnnMarie Potts and husband Joseph of NJ. The oldest of 7 children, his 3 remaining siblings are Lorraine Venne of Springfield, Roger Labonte of Chicopee, and Real Labonte of NY. Grandpa will be missed by 23 grandchildren and great grandchildren, Benjamin and wife Amy, Steven and partner Christine, Kevin and wife Laura, Maggie, Valerie, Madeline, Christopher, Bethany, Thomas, Britney, Ashlie, Jason, Jonathan, Caitlin, David and wife Becky, Lisa and husband Colby, Kristen, Jacob, Colby, Devon, Anthony, Michael, and Steven. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, a son Joseph, Jr. along with brothers Albert, Roland and Norman, and son in law, Philip Cloutier preceded him in death. A funeral will be Saturday January 15 at 9:00 a.m. from the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m.in St. Thomas Church. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery. Calling hours will be Friday from 4:00 � 7:00 p.m. For those wishing, donations may be made in his memory to St. Thomas Church or Alzheimer�s Assoc., 264 Cottage St., Springfield, MA 01104 or Hospice Service of Western MA, 1325 Springfield Street Suite 12, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. For more information or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.beersandstory.com."