John A. Payant

Greenfield- John Alfred Payant, 71, of Colrain Road passed away Friday at Baystate Medical Center. He was born in Springfield to the late Albert and Yvonne (Chagnon) Payant. He was raised in Greenfield and spent most of his life in West Springfield. He was a graduate of Springfield Technical High School. John worked for years as a machine operator for Dexter Paper Mill in Windsor Locks, retiring in 2007. Prior to that he worked at Southworth Paper in West Springfield. He was a Vietnam War U.S. Army Veteran. John enjoyed watching NASCAR, old time comedies and westerns, and the Boston Bruins. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Paulette R. (Courteau) Payant in 2013. He was the loving father of John Payant and his wife Jillanne of Bondsville and Jess Payant and his wife Joy of West Springfield, caring brother of James Payant and his wife Diane of Greenfield and Robert Payant and his wife Linda of North Adams, devoted grandfather of Eleanor, Ethan, and Layla Payant. He also leaves his companion, Donna Graves of Greenfield, his good friend, who was like a son to him, Xavier Munoz and his wife Noreen as well as several nieces and nephews. There will be a Funeral Home Service, 6:30 PM on Wednesday at the TOOMEY-O�BRIEN FUNERAL HOME, 1043 Westfield Street, West Springfield. Calling hours will precede the service from 4-6:30 PM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in John�s memory may be made to a charity of one�s choice.