Ronald B. Laurin

Ronald B. Laurin, 93, passed away on January 19, 2021 at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Ronald “Pappy,” was born in Easthampton on August 2, 1927 to the late Francis A. and Olivine (Lussier) Laurin. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1945-1953. Ronald is predeceased by his son, Ronald P. Laurin, his brothers Emile, Lucien, Armand, Roland, Gerald Laurin, his sisters Theresa Masse, Elizabeth Houle and Delores Durcharme.

After serving in the Navy, he worked as an Electrician at the Rubber Thread and Collin’s Electric, where he helped in the construction of Bay State West, now known as The Towers, in Springfield. He then went on to work at National Blank Book, where he retired in 1986. After retirement, he worked tirelessly alongside family and friends, happily helping out on many household projects and renovations.

In his free time, Pappy enjoyed fishing, playing cards, traveling to Florida to visit his daughter Kathleen and her husband Tom, and, of course, their dogs. His grandchildren also benefitted from his retirement as they spent many “Papa” days, when he would pick them up from school, take them to Look Park to ride their bikes or just hang out at Papa’s house playing and eating Rice Krispy treats and drinking hot chocolate. He even treated them to trips to Florida. He was quick to tell anyone who would listen, how much he enjoyed them and how proud he was of them. In later years, he got to enjoy watching his great grandchildren as well.

Ronald is survived by his daughter Kathleen Bastedo and her husband Tom, of Orlando, FL, son Jamie and wife Becky of Hatfield, MA, grandchildren Hannah Laurin and partner Sky Toda-Peters of Renton, WA, Kaitlin Gobell and husband Brian of Hadley, MA, Collin and wife Melanie also of So. Hadley, MA, great grandchildren Leo and Zoe Gobell, and Noah Laurin. He also leaves several cousins and many nieces and nephews.

Burial with military honors will take place at the family’s convenience. Boucher-O’Brien Funeral Home in Easthampton is in charge of services.