CARIBOU – Roland St. Peter, 76, died peacefully Dec. 14, 2012, in Caribou, with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 22, 1936, in St. Andre, New Brunswick, son of the late Audrey St. Peter-Ambrosa and Kenneth Robertson. He was raised by his grandparents, the late Joseph and Dina St. Peter of Caribou.
He was a graduate of Caribou High School and received his associate degree from Ricker College. Mr. St. Peter served with the U.S. Air Force, stationed at the former Loring Air Force Base. Roland was married for more than 57 years to his loving wife and best friend, Leona “Lee” (Levesque) St. Peter. He was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Henry B. Pratt Post No. 15 American Legion, as well as Fred V. Brescia Council No. 1870 Knights of Columbus. Roland’s true love, and pride and joy, was his family. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at his home or at camp on Madawaska Lake. He always welcomed anyone who stopped by and always felt that “the more the merrier.” He truly enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, four-wheeling, boating and doing yard work, especially if it involved equipment with a motor. He also enjoyed driving his 1964 Corvette and his 1932 Chevy hot rod with Lee in the Caribou and Stockholm parades. One of Roland’s great memories was their extremely festive and fun 50th wedding anniversary party, where he and Leona got to enjoy and reminisce about their life together with more than 200 guests. Roland always got a kick out of asking his mechanics to work on some of his fun side custom projects, like four-wheeled rigs, party boats, cars, etc. In fact Roland was the first camp owner at Madawaska Lake to have a party boat, one that was constructed by his mechanics. Roland was a well-known area businessman and enjoyed the challenges that went along with running a business. He began his career as a salesman for A&M Hackett for 15 years, and then for nearly 40 years he owned and operated several businesses, including the Esso – Exxon – gas station on High Street, Roland’s Gulf on Sweden Street and then Roland’s Service on Hershel Street. More recently he co-owned County Quick Stop on Route 1. Roland loved providing his customers a place to gather for a cup of coffee and to catch up with him and each other. Roland never believed in retirement and thought that staying busy, be it work or pleasure, and being around people on a daily basis was the key to happiness. His family also believed that being a local businessman provided Roland a means to help others in need. He loved to laugh and kid with his family, friends and customers.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Lee of Caribou, are his three children, Rhonda Lister and husband, Terry, of Caribou, Craig St. Peter and wife, Christine, of Londonderry, N.H., and Lisa St. Peter and partner, Kirk Cyr, of Caribou; five grandchildren, Nicholas Lister and partner, William Sargent, of Gray, Ryan Lister and wife, Cheyenne, of Waldo, Mark St. Peter of Manchester, N.H., Sarah St. Peter and Erin St. Peter, all of Londonderry, N.H.; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Hartley and Denise Levesque of Connor; several nieces and nephews. Mr. St. Peter was predeceased by three half brothers, Dale, Carroll and Bobby Robertson.
Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Monday at Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, at Parish of the Precious Blood Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Very Rev. Jean-Paul Labrie, pastor, officiating. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery. After the service all are invited to a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at the parish hall. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. St. Peter may do so through Jefferson Cary Foundation Oncology Clinic, 163 Van Buren Road, Caribou, ME 04736 or American Cancer Society. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com
Roland St. Peter
