MILLINOCKET and DAVENPORT, Fla. – Roland Alton Hughes, 80, passed away unexpectedly May 23, 2011. Rollie was born in Millinocket, son of Thomas and Myrtie (Whirty) Hughes.
He was a graduate of Stearns High School, Class of 1949. In 1951 Rollie married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jane Perry. They were married for nearly 41 years until her death in 1992. Rollie graduated from Connecticut Technical Institute, Hartford, with a diploma in refrigeration in June 1951. He was the proprietor of Refrigeration and Appliance Hospital and Rollie’s Pet Shop for many years in the Millinocket area. Rollie was a retired firefighter and emergency medical technician with Millinocket Fire Department, where he served many years in various positions, including assistant fire chief and interim fire chief. He was a member of Millinocket Elks Lodge, Nollesemic Lodge No. 205 and Anah Temple Shriners. He will be greatly missed by his loving companion of 14 years, Rita Ireland and her family, who gave him much joy and happiness. Mr. Hughes enjoyed his winters in Davenport, Fla., and his summers in Millinocket near family and friends. His interests included camping adventures, woodworking, fast cars and airplanes. As a young man he had obtained his pilot’s license, and enjoyed flying many family and friends around Mount Katahdin in the fall. Rollie and Mary Jane spent many years as the Northern Knights Drum and Bugle Corps coordinators and chaperones making lifelong friends and wonderful experiences for the youth of the Katahdin area.
Rollie is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Rhonda and Thomas Little, Heidi and Jeffrey Hale, all of Millinocket, and Jodi and Joel Ambrose of Blue Hill. Papa Rollie had six grandchildren, whom he adored and cherished, Jackie Carter and husband, Paul, Amanda St. Peter and husband, Ryan, Ryan Hale and wife, Kelly, Matthew Hale and wife, Rebekah, Shawna Pasternack and husband, Daniel, and Christopher Ambrose and girlfriend, Megan Gilliland. He was blessed to have 10 great-granddaughters, Mackenzie, Kelsey and Leigh Carter, Kendra Peterson and Emily Hale, Kyra and Juniper Hale, Ava Tapley and Madelyn Pasternack, and Jenna Ambrose. Papa Rollie was looking forward to the arrival of his first great-grandson, Liam Matthew Alton Hale, in July. Rollie is also survived by his brother, Thomas Hughes Jr., who was his devoted companion through all events of his life; brother-in-law, Byron Perry and wife, Shirley; sister-in-law, Joanna Santerre and husband, Richard; and sister-in-law, Agnes “Pat” Perry, all of Millinocket. Rollie enjoyed his many years with his numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Rollie was predeceased by his wife, Mary Jane; a sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Bill French; and a sister-in-law, Ann “Skip” Hughes.
Friends are invited to visit with the family 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, at Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack St., Millinocket, where evening memorial services will be held 6:30 p.m. conducted by the officers and members of Nollesemic Lodge No. 205, AF & AM Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, at Millinocket Baptist Church. Donations in Mr. Hughes’ memory may be made to Millinocket Pioneer Hose Company Scholarship Fund, 222 Aroostook Ave., Millinocket, ME 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at
www.lamsonfh.com.