WINSLOW – Roland George Pelletier, Jr., 80, of Winslow, died on Feb. 25, 2023 at Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta, after a long illness.

Upon graduation from Waterville High School, Roland joined the U.S. Marine Corps to serve his country, and then attended Thomas College for his bachelor’s degree. While working at Dunham’s Clothing store in Waterville in his 20s, he met the woman who would stand by his side through thick and thin for over 50 years, Marsha. They got married less than a year after they met, and Roland adopted Marsha’s one-year-old daughter, Dawn, immediately. They went on to have another daughter, Kristie.

Roland had a broad career in the fields of teaching, business, and accounting. He was a bibliophile, history buff, and an avid fisherman throughout his adult life. He was happiest on fishing and camping trips with friends and family.

He was passionate about music and his daughters fondly remember hearing his favorites playing in the house growing up. He passed along his love of movies and musicals to his family, who became very familiar with classics like West Side Story, Carousel, and the like.

In midlife, his affection for the arts took hold even further as he started writing a bit of poetry and became involved in the theater—acting, singing and dancing in “Fiddler on the Roof” and a few other local productions, something he always wanted to do.

Roland was predeceased by his mother, Cecile (Landry) Gagnon, who was 96 when she died in 2021. He tragically lost both his birth father, Roland George Pelletier, Sr., and his stepfather, Edmund Duguay, by the time he was 11 years old. He was also predeceased by his grandparents, Alice and Delphis Landry, whom he adored, and who helped raise him.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Marsha (Gray) Pelletier of Winslow; daughter, Dawn Ascanio and her husband, Robert Ascanio of Falmouth, daughter, Kristie Irza of Winslow and her fiancé, Rick Savageau of Brewer; grandchildren, Ian Irza and Sadie Irza, both of Winslow; and brother, David Gagnon and his wife Shannon Weidner of Sebastian, Fla.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 1 at 11 a.m. Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville, immediately followed by a luncheon on the church premises. There will be no visiting hours or burial at this time.

The family would like to sincerely thank all the staff at Maine Veterans Home in Augusta for their kindness and care.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.VeilleuxFuneralHome.com.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville ME 04901.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Roland’s memory to MVH. More information can be found here: https://mainevets.charityproud.org/Donate/Index/848

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