Bruce A. Dufresne, 75, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Baystate Medical Center.

He was born in Holyoke on August 25, 1950, a son of the late Paul A. and Rhea E. (Antunes) Dufresne. Bruce worked as a custodian for the Chicopee Public Schools, a job he truly loved.

Fishing was Bruce’s greatest passion. He cherished the time he spent on the water and was always happiest with a fishing rod in his hand. A true outdoorsman, he also loved working in his yard, gardening, landscaping, and building ponds. Bruce was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Sons of The American Legion Post 351.

Bruce leaves his fiancée and devoted companion of more than 25 years, Eileen Desforges of Chicopee; his three grandchildren, Blake, Jalisa, and Emily; his brothers, Paul Dufresne and his wife, Collette, of Granby, and Raymond Dufresne and his girlfriend, Aja, of Holyoke; his sister, Rose, and her boyfriend, Walter, of Chicopee, step-daughter Lisa Deforges of Palmer, step-son James Heiden of Pittsfield and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Jesse Dufresne; his son, Matthew Dufresne; his brother, David Dufresne; and his sister, Paulette.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the O’Brien Family Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, August 21, at 10 a.m., followed by burial in St. Rose de Lima Cemetery in Chicopee.