Greenfield-James L. Galipault, 86, of Country Side Rd, Greenfield, MA, died Monday (2/20) at Franklin Medical Center.

He was born in Colrain, MA on May 25, 1925, the son of Joseph and Eliza (Coutu) Galipault.

He graduated from Arms Academy.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943-45 and earned the rank of pilot, Second Lt. After his military service, he attended Syracuse University, School of Engineering. He met his wife Caroline while at Syracuse.

In 1951, he started working for W.W.Wyman General Contractors in Greenfield, becoming its president in 1962. In 1974, he joined Pioneer Steel (later, Barker Steel) as a sales engineer. He retired from Barker in 1992. He was a member and officer for several professional organizations during his career including the Association of General Contractors VT, VT Society of Engineers, Building Trades of Franklin County, and NH Good Roads Association.

He was a member of the Country Club of Greenfield and served on its board of directors. He was an early advisor to the Greenfield Community College Engineering Technology Department. He also served one term on the Greenfield Redevelopment Authority. He was a member of the Elks and Knights of Columbus.

He was especially proud of his contributions to the re-building of the Pumping Station Bridge in 1972. He served as the Chairman of the Building Committee. He was the Project Manager for the all -volunteer team that constructed the bridge in 1972. The volunteers included many friends, former co-workers, and family members. He was an honorary member of the Connecticut River Covered Bridge Society.

He was a communicant of Holy Trinity Church.

He enjoyed golf, bowling, and skiing and participated in the Senior Olympics in Florida and Massachusetts.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, the former Caroline Walker, and seven children: Joanne Galipault of St. Louis, MO; James Jr of Greenfield; Catherine (Sam) Sokolosky of Shelburne; William (Lisa) of Placentia, CA; Richard (Karen) of Palm Harbor, FL; Susan (Joseph) Mattei of Shelburne; and Elizabeth Galipault Burden of Greenfield. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren: Alison, Emily, and Laura Sokolosky; Meredith, Laurel, and Shannon Galipault; Caitlin and Tara Galipault; Christopher, Anthony and Anna Mattei; Marisa McCutchen; Caroline and T.J. Burden, one great-grandchild, Eugene Shafie and several nieces & nephews.

He was predeceased by his siblings Mae G. Ball, Dorothy Wise, John Galipault, and Euclid Galipault.

Funeral services will be held on Friday (2/24) at 8:15am at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal St., followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9am at Holy Trinity Church 133 Main St. with the Rev. Tomasz Gorney, officiating.

Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 5-7pm at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Church, 133 Main St., Greenfield, MA or to the charity of your choice.