Anthony J. Smigelski Sr.

Anthony J. (Tony) Smigelski, Sr., 101, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 15, 2020. Born in West Springfield, MA, October 1918, he was the son of the late Josef and Marianna (Andryczyk) Smigelski.
A 1937 graduate of Springfield Technical High School, he went on to serve his country in the Pacific Theater during WWII as a Communications Repairman in the Army Air Corps. Following the war, Anthony began his career with the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. as a lineman and repairman, retiring from NYNEX as a test board operator after thirty five years of service.
An avid vegetable gardener, he also enjoyed growing many varieties of flowers through the years, especially proud of his Iris and Dahlia collections. He was a lifelong communicant of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Springfield until its closing in 2018, becoming a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in Agawam. He became a member of the Jan Sobieski Society at the age of 16 and went on to become President of the society for over thirty years. He was very proud of his Polish heritage, especially carrying on the holiday traditions of Easter (Swięconka) and Christmas Eve (Wigilia) with his family gathering at his home.
Anthony was given the great honor as serving as the Grand Marshall – Army for the 2015 Agawam Memorial Day Parade. He loved to read, especially stories of the old west and frequently visited the Agawam Public Library.
A loving husband and father, he is survived by his beloved wife of 78 years, Stefania; son Anthony Smigelski, Jr., and wife Claudia of Shushan, NY; daughter Patricia Sniegowski and husband William of Belchertown; son in law Christopher Savard of Agawam; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two great- great grandchildren. He leaves several Godchildren as well as many nieces and nephews, and the friendship of kind and generous neighbors.
Anthony was predeceased by daughter Barbara Savard (2013), and his seven siblings: Victoria Dofter, Mary Davidow, Lottie Witkoski, Sr. Josephine Deodata (Sr. Jo), Felix Smigelski, Nell Bishop, and Tess Monson.
Family and friends are invited to gather Monday September 21, 2020 from 4-7pm in Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St., Agawam MA. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 beginning at 10:00 AM at the funeral home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 AM at St John the Evangelist Church, 823 Main St., Agawam. Burial will be in the St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Chicopee.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Agawam Ambulance Service, c/o Agawam Fire Department, 800 Main St., Agawam, MA 01001; Friends of the Agawam Public Library, PO Box 478. Feeding Hills, MA 01030-0478; or The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01041. To leave a message of personal condolence or for more information, visit www.forastiere.com.