PORTLAND – Roland F. Spencer, 84, passed peacefully on Dec. 20, at his home surrounded by family.

He was born in Lewiston, on Feb. 14, 1922, a son of Fred and Rena Asselin Spencer, and was a graduate of Lewiston High School, Class of 1939.

He was a six-year veteran of the U.S. Marines during World War II, serving with the 1st and 4th Marine Divisions in the South Pacific; the 1st Marine Division was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for the invasion of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, in 1942.

He moved back to the Portland area in 1954, and has lived there since. In 1984, he retired from the New England Telephone Co., after 37 years of service. While employed, he was active in the telephone union, holding many offices, including three terms as local president. He was a charter member of local 2327, I.B.E.W.

He was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church and a former member of Msgr. Houlihan Council, Knights of Columbus. He was also a life member of the Pioneers of America and a former member of the V.F.W.

He was a very proud grandfather and anyone who knew him, knew about his grandchildren and their accomplishments. During the 2005-2006, Cape Elizabeth Girls Basketball season, he was given the Fan-of-the-Year Award, which made him extremely proud.

He is survived by his four daughters, Judith Redmond, and her husband, John, of Portland, Nancie Sparaco, and her husband, Stephen, of Standish, Jayne Boulos, and her husband, Christopher, of Cape Elizabeth and Bonnie Spencer of Portland; six grandchildren, Mark Plourde, and his wife, Kathy, of Portland, Michele Plourde of Old Orchard Beach, and Rebecca, Elizabeth, Chris and Anna Boulos of Cape Elizabeth; and three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Kaitlin and Ava Plourde of Portland.

He was predeceased by his wife, June Shorey Spencer, formerly of Rumford in 1977.