Robert E Valliere

Robert E. Valliere, 87,of Westfield was called safely home on Saturday, January 27, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at the home of his daughter in Fort Myers, FL, surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield MA on June 6, 1930 to Fabio and Otella (Duquette) Valliere. Raised in West Springfield, Bob was a 1949 graduate of West Springfield High School where he lettered all four years for the Terriers basketball team. Bob was also a 1963 graduate of Texas Christian University. Bob proudly served his country as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean conflict, performing as a member of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Corps Band under the direction of Lt. Col. William F. Santelmann. After graduating from TCU, he was employed by the city of Westfield in the Department of Welfare and Engineering before entering the field of teaching.  In 1965, Bob began his teaching career at the Southampton Road School in Westfield.  After 20 years at that location, he spent the next ten years educating students at South Middle School from which he retired. Mr. Valliere was a popular teacher, always being stopped by former students that cite him as the “best teacher they ever had”.  While teaching, Mr. Valliere coached basketball and the First Suburban football team, a team that went on to compete in the Jamboree, beating rival Holyoke 8-0.  The members of that squad went on to play for the Westfield High football team and won the first high school Super Bowl. Bob was an active member of American Legion Post 124, serving as Sergeant at Arms for many years. During his tenure, Bob coordinated the military funerals of more than 500 veterans. In 2014, he was honored with the elite status as a Lifetime Member of the American Legion Post 124. Known to friends as “Bobby V", he was famous for his “Bobisms". Bob could often be heard saying “I get by with a shove”, “What do I know about hockey?”, “No more questions, Your Honor” and so many more. Bob served as an usher for St. Mary's Church in Westfield for many years. He was a devout fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Boston Red Sox, and the TCU Horned Frogs.  Bob always enjoyed the game of golf and was especially proud of his son Jeffrey’s distinction as a PGA Professional. Bob leaves his daughter Lindi Beebe and her husband Paul of Westfield, his son Lawrence of Agawam, his son Robert and his wife Maria of Westfield and six granddaughters. He also leaves a nephew, Dr. James Moras of Anchorage, AK. Besides his parents, Bob was predeceased by his sister Jean ( Valliere ) Moras in 1986 and his son Jeffrey in 2017. Calling hours for Robert will be Tuesday, February 6th from 4 to 7 pm at the Firtion and Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad St, Westfield. The funeral will be held at 8:30 am, Wednesday, February 7th, at the funeral home followed by a Christian Mass at St Mary's Church in Westfield. A military service will be held at 11:00 am at the Mass Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut St, Springfield MA 01199 or Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers FL 33908. Firtionadams.com

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