WESTBROOK – Sgt. Lawrence A. Roukey, USA, 33, of Westbrook was killed in action on April 26, while serving with the Iraq Survey Group assigned to Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Regiment.

He was born in Portland April 4, 1971, a son of Robert and Barbara Curato Roukey. He attended Cathedral Grammar School through fifth grade and attended Portland graduating from Deering High School class of 1989.

After working several jobs, “Larry” wanted more and joined the US Army at age 20. Jeff Reali, his friend said “He just felt it was his obligation to do his part to fulfill his duty to family, friends, community and above all his country. I lost my best friend and a true patriot,” Jeff said. This feeling is shared by all of his friends, former and present co-workers and most of all his family.

The military was in his blood as his grandfather served 32 years in the military, and his father served 10 years. After completing his basic training at Ft. Benning in Georgia, he was stationed in South Korea for a year. Upon returning he was stationed at Ft. Campbell and while there was sent to Egypt for six months as a peace monitor. After he was discharged to the National Guard he returned to Maine. He served two years, re-enlisting in June 2001. Serving his country was a big source of pride for him and when asked if he had to drop everything and fight for his country he answered with a resounding YES!

In between leaving the guard and re-enlisting he worked at the Bahama Beach Club, Amato’s Sandwich Shops, and eventually becoming a correctional officer. After graduating from the Vermont Correctional Academy he worked at St. Johnsbury Correctional Facility.

Upon returning to Maine, he accepted a position at the Maine State Prison in Thomaston. He applied and accepted a position as a mail processor at the Portland Post Office, a position he worked at for four years and later transferred to the maintenance department until present. His attitude in the military was the same on his job, someone his employers and fellow co-workers learned they could wholeheartedly count on.

It was during his time at the Bahama Beach Club that he met his future wife Ryann. They met in 1994 and married on Aug. 24, 1996. He was a great stepfather to Ryann’s daughter, Sonya and he was very excited to become a part of her life. He and Ryann shared many adventures together before becoming parents to Nicholas in August 2001.

It was through him the he got to experience all the aspects of a new parent, which he could never get enough of. Often he would exclaim to anyone who would listen about something new that Nicholas just learned, or how well he was now talking. He got so much enjoyment in taking Nicholas to Jokers, or just playing with him at home.

He was anxiously awaiting the day when he could play ball with Nicholas, teach him to ride his bike and most especially take him hiking on father/son trips. Though a bit nervous about it, he was also looking forward to helping Sonya learn how to drive and eventually turn his car over to her.

He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and enjoyed taking his family to Boston to see a game. He was also a fan of the Patriots, but he was a true fan of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. He was passionate about hiking along with his sister, Dotty, would often accompany him and Sonya, as well as his life long friend Patrick Portas. He has hiked most of the major mountains in the area and had also planned to hike the first 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail. He also enjoyed running and he and Ryann had entered many races together.

He was a quiet, thoughtful man who cherished his family and friends. He was not someone who liked a big fuss made over him. He would rather do it for someone else. While serious most of the time, he was also a prankster who would make you laugh right before a picture, or come up behind you and throw you into the pool fully dressed, and while he could dish it out, he could certainly take it right back.

While in Iraq he would often call home and speak with his immediate family and sent many e-mails not only to family but to various friends and co-workers. They often included pictures of sites they had been to. Knowing his family and friends worried for him over there, he was thoughtful enough to often include a picture of himself. He even sent home Iraqi money though he did it with the thought that he could eventually make money off it someday as a joke, “Anything for an easy buck!” he would say.

His life, while short, was filled with many adventures with many people, and it was these experiences that he kept close to his heart. There was nothing that he would not do for anyone, and would volunteer to help out even before all the words were said. He was completely dedicated to his wife and children, to his family and to all of his friends. Being in the military was a source of pride for him and never once did he wish he had not joined. He had only one regret, and that was his wish to see his wife and children one more time before heading to Iraq.

His zest for life, his practical jokes, and his thoughtfulness will be sadly missed by all of his family, friends and co-workers that he has known since he was two, from school, from his jobs, and from his military time. To all of us, just knowing him was a privilege and an honor, and it will be his strength that we will draw upon to move forward while always keeping him with us.

We thought of you with love today; But that is nothing new. We thought about you yesterday; And days before that too. We think of you in silence; We often speak your name. Now all we have are memories; And your picture in a frame. Your memory is our keepsake; With which we’ll never part. God has you in His keeping; We have you in our Heart. Author Unknown.

Besides his wife Ryann L. (Keller) Roukey, he leaves his two year old son, Nicholas and his 15-year-old stepdaughter, Sonya Keller all of Westbrook; his brother, Robert Roukey, a sister, Dorothy (Dotty) Roukey and her friend Jamie Hilton all of Portland; his maternal grandmother, Maud (Nan) Rumo, and his aunt, Sandra Curato both of Portland; mother-in-law, Jane Keller of South Portland; father-in-law, William Keller and Betty Keller both of Falmouth; sister-in-law, Julie Tasker of Berwick; brother-in-law, George Tasker of Berwick; nieces, Jace, Destint, Audrey, and his nephew, Brian all of Berwick; sister-in-law, Dawn Keller of Woburn, Mass.; cousin, Ellen Jones of Norfolk, Va.; her children, Cody, D.J. and Olivia; his cousin-in-law, David Jones of South Carolina.

The entire Roukey family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation for all the support shown to them during this difficult time.