Roland J. Talbot

WINSLOW – Roland J. Talbot, 92, passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2024, at Maine General Center for Health with his daughter by his side.

He was born to the late Cyrille and Rose M. (Morency) Talbot, on March 30, 1932, in Waterville, at their home at Head of Falls. Roland attended St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Waterville. He would only finish eighth grade, after which he went to work at a local market to help support his family. He would continue on to work for the First National supermarket on Main Street, and then was promoted to store manager in Madison.

Roland joined the Navy in 1951 and served as a Radio Operator on the USS Willis A Lee. For two years he sailed around the Caribbean Islands and to Europe, where he was able to go to Rome and see the Pope. As a French-Canadian Catholic from a small town in Maine, that was a dream come true. 

Roland met the love of his life, Jean Dostie, on a blind date, and they were married in 1953 for a total of 54 years, until her death in 2007. In 1972, he was promoted to Regional Manager for the Finast/First National Supermarket chain, covering the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. At that time, he moved his small family, including daughters Lisa and Jill, to Rutland Vermont, where they lived until he retired from the grocery world. They spent the summers as seasonal campers at Lake Dunmore’s Kampersville for many years, making friends and happy memories. In 1989 they returned to Maine, which was always considered home. He had many friends and colleagues in Vermont that he remembered fondly, and still communicated with. 

Roland was not a man to sit idly by after his “retirement”. After a brief stint at Kmart in Rutland, he continued working as a custodian at Unity College, The Atrium Hotel and Berry’s Stationers, then at a local cardiologist’s office. When that doctor retired, he was inherited by the next practice, even going with them after they moved locations. He always said that he would retire when he got old, but that wasn’t until he was 90. He finally retired, last working at Waterville Women’s Care in Waterville, where he was always included in their Holiday Parties, along with his daughter Jill as his date. He loved to spoil his “girls” with bags of candy that he brought to the office every week. He was incredibly thankful for their love and generosity.

Roland, Dad, Papa, Uncle Rol’, and Sam, as he was known, was loved and charmed by all who met him. Always quick with a smile or a joke, even as his body was failing him in his final days. His sense of humor was still quite evident.

Roland was a member of Corpus Christi Parish, where he could be seen every Saturday at St John’s in the same seat, saying his prayers. He was a devout Catholic and received communion weekly.

He was predeceased by his wife Jean (Dostie), his brothers, Joseph Robert, Donald J (Brother Roger Paul, F.I.C.P.), Gerard J. and his wife Lucille (Viens), and Roger P., and by his sister Orita M., and her husband Reginald Couture

Roland is survived by his two daughters, Lisa Talbot of Winslow, Jill Huard and her husband, Dan of Waterville; his granddaughters, Kathleen and Lisa, and a great-grandson, Jack Gilbert. His beloved Mimi, a 9-year-old Doxi-Poo, will miss him terribly. Roland is also survived by his favorite sister, Mary Jane (Talbot) Paquet, his sisters-in-law, Jean (Violette) Dostie and her husband Sal Amalfitano and Suzanne (Veilleux) Talbot, cousin, Doug Mathieu; along with several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 12, at 10 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 26 Monument St, Winslow, followed by a committal at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville. 

Arrangements are in the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Bros., 8 Elm Street, Waterville, where memories of Roland may be shared, and an online register book can be signed by visiting http://www.vrlfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Maine Children’s Home, 93 Silver Street, Waterville ME 04901