George A Vachon

Chicopee-George Arthur Vachon, Jr “Mountain Man”, 76, passed away Wednesday, August 7, 2024. George worked at Chapdelaine Builders in East Longmeadow, Zero Corp in Monson, Wm Wrights in West Warren and nightly at Stop & Shop in Springfield. George was an avid outdoorsman. He loved spending time in nature tracking, hunting, fishing, camping and feeding the birds. He earned his nickname “Mountain Man” in his younger days. His friends were looking to spend time with him. One friend pointed to a mountain exclaiming “see that mountain? George is up there, man!”

George was an attendee of the Second Baptist Church in Palmer. He was a past member of the Chicopee Sportsman’s Club, the North American Hunting Association, the Elks Foundation and the NRA. George was also in the Sea Scouts in his youth. He had fond memories of sailing the Intercoastal waterway to Florida on a retired WWII boat he helped to repair.

George was dedicated to hard work, long hours and endless energy. He was a wealth of knowledge and skills. Always at the ready to do odd jobs and help family and friends. George particularly enjoyed his side job, Mountain Man Tree Service. He was a one-man operation, strapping on his logging cleats to climb any size tree and drop it with precision. Then split and stack the cord wood. It was at one tree job he met his wife, Candace.

His heart was big. Once he took it upon himself to pack the back of his car full of food and Christmas gifts he bought. He drove all night near the Canadian border delivering the gifts to his ill friend who was out of work. He wanted him, his wife and small children to celebrate a Merry Christmas in their time of need. George never had much, yet he always found a way to do what he could to help people.

George cherished his friends and family. Many of whom he now joins in Heaven.

He will be deeply missed by the love of his life, Candace (MacLeod) Vachon, his beloved sister, Jeanne Heger of Feeding Hills, a sister, Charlotte Reid of Charlotte, NC and three brothers, Wayne Vachon of Feeding Hills, Ross (Paula) Vachon of New Knoxville, OH and Bruce (Lisa) Vachon of Largo, Florida, as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, his cat Cocoa and his loving friends Debbie and Joe Caliento who were with George in his final days.

The family wishes to thank Regal Care of Holyoke, Baystate Medical Center and in house Hospice for their exceptional care. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital (a cause close to George’s heart), Shriners Hospital for Children or Baystate Hospice.

Lombard Funeral Home 3 Bridge St. Monson has been entrusted with the arrangements. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at the funeral home from Noon until 1:30 pm. A graveside service will follow at 2pm at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Palmer. For online condolences please visit www.lombardfuneralhome.com