Gail F. (Bernier) Sugalski

Gail Frances (Bernier) Hackett Sugalski, 83, entered into Eternal Rest on April 28, 2024, Gail passed away surrounded by her loving family who cared for her in her final days in the comfort of her own home.  Born in Ludlow on February 26, 1941 to the late Valere and Celeste (Ballard) Bernier, she was a lifelong Springfield resident and was a 1958 graduate of Commerce High School.  

Gail was a pioneer for women in her 26 year career with the U.S. Postal Service. The first woman accepted in a management training program for the area’s post office, she went on to become the first female Postmaster of the Forest Park branch and retired in 2002 as Postmaster of the Monson Post Office.

Gail was a faithful and active parishioner of Holy Cross Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir, developed many fundraising committee ideas, was instrumental in the annual craft fair, and was a loyal volunteer receptionist in the rectory.  She was a member of the Petals of the Crown Prayer Group, The Immaculata, and the Confraternity of the Passionists. She was an avid collector of all things beautiful and loved animals of all kinds. Her infectious smile, laughter, and generous spirit endeared her to everyone that met her.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving children: Brian Hackett of Chicopee, Valerie Petit and her husband Michel of Bluffton, SC, Nancy Hackett of Hawaii, and Kelly Sonoda and her husband Steven of Chicopee; her step-daughter, Lori Cappella and her husband Carl of Greenfield and their children, Anthony and Rachel; her brother, George Bernier of Enfield, CT and many extended family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Thaddeus “Ted” Sugalski, and her sister, Joyce Cummings.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 4:00-7:00pm at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services, 15 Ludlow Ave., Springfield. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 assembling at 10:00am at the funeral home and proceeding to Holy Cross Church, 221 Plumtree Road, Springfield for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am. Burial will follow at the MA Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. To offer online condolences to the family, please visit www.nowakfuneral.com.

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