GREENVILLE – Roland N. Lavigne, 86, passed away peacefully March 26, 2008, at Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital, with his loving family by his side, after a long courageous battle with cancer. Roland was born Oct. 27, 1921, in Greenville, the son of Robert and Emma (Bumps) Lavigne. Roland was a lifelong resident of Greenville, an avid fisherman, hunter and gardener. He always enjoyed various holidays with his family. He graduated from Greenville High School, Class of 1940. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a first class torpedo man on the destroyer, the USS Gherardi No.637DD, during World War II. Roland married Ruth Markey in 1944, and after his discharge from the service, he and Ruth settled in Greenville. Roland worked at Atlas Plywood Mill and retired from Scott Paper Co. in 1986. After retiring, Roland and Ruth worked for 12 years on the North Maine Woods gate system. The friends they made are certainly too many to list, but they all know who they are and the impact they had on their lives. Roland is survived by his beloved wife and best friend of 63 years, Ruth of Greenville; four children, Mary and Kenneth Twitchell of Fort Fairfield, Robert “Bear” and Sharon Lavigne of Jackman, George Lavigne of Greenville, Therma and Randy Mitchell of Dover-Foxcroft; two special “daughters,” Dottie Gabarro of Dover-Foxcroft and Sue Cartwright of Greenville; nine grandchildren, Misty, Steven, Rolinda, Jeremy, Travis, Nick, Ben, Crystal and Sean; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Pauline Markey of New York and Sylvia Edgerly of Greenville; and a sister-in-law, Sherbie Kinney of Perth-Andover, New Brunswick. He will be remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Roland was predeceased by his parents; an uncle, Foster Bumps; a brother, Fred Lavigne; a sister, Irene; a son-in-law, Merle Ward; and a grandson, Guy Lavigne. A celebration of Roland’s life will be held at a later date, as it was his wish that people gather together and share their memories in lieu of a funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shirley Community Church, P.O. Box 44, Shirley, ME 04485 or Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital, Pritham Avenue, Greenville, ME 04441. Arrangements are in the care of Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com. Where Jesus reigns there is no fear, no restless doubt, no hopeless tear, no raging sea, nor tempest dread, but quietness and calm instead.
ROLAND N. LAVIGNE
