AUBURN — Roger D. Ouellette of Poland Road, Auburn passed away June 20, under the tender care of the staff at the Androscoggin Hospice House and with his sisters by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born in Lewiston, June 22, 1952, the son of the late Adesse and Anita Bellefleur Ouellette. He was a lifetime member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish at Sacred Heart Church.

He received his early education at Sacred Heart School graduating from Edward Little High School in 1970. He received an associates degree in culinary arts from Southern Maine Community College in 1972. He continued his education at the Armed Forces Culinary School in Maryland graduating as valedictorian in 1975. He also earned certification in nutrition management from the Meals on Wheels Association of America.

He most recently was employed as the manager of nutrition services of Meals on Wheels in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. He also worked as an executive chef at Bates College and Ramada Inn in Lewiston, and was corporate chef at PFG North Center Food Service in Augusta.

He was a certified executive chef of the American Culinary Federation, a fellow of the American Academy of Chefs and inducted into the Honor Society of the American Culinary Federation. He was a certified food management professional of the National Restaurant Association and a member of the World Association of Cooks Society, the National Restaurant Association and the Maine Restaurant Association.

Roger was active in community service as an advisory board member of The Culinary Arts Program of SMCC, CMCC and the CATC. He was the past local chairman of the Chefs Auction Committee for the March of Dimes and a culinary judge of the Skills USA Program.

Roger received several career awards. He was the ACF Maine Chapter “Chef of the Year” in 1995 and 2005. He received the ACF President Award in 1999 and 2004, and the National President’s Medallion in 1996. In 1998, he was voted the Allied Member of the Year by the Maine Restaurant Association. He also received the Director’s Award from the Maine Chapter of ACF and the President’s Medallion from the American Culinary Federation.

After his father’s passing in 1990, Roger lived with his mother and was her primary caretaker until her passing this past February. He was a caring brother and good friend to many.

The family wishes to thank Roger’s work family at Meals on Wheels who supported him throughout his illness. They made him feel he was contributing even during his sickest times.

Roger is survived by his sisters, Marie Adams and husband, Ray, of Hanahan, S.C., Charlene Lacasse and husband, Normand, of Lewiston and Jacqueline Strong and husband, Richard, of Auburn: several nieces and nephews, Cynthia Dyson and husband, Jacob, Jeffrey Adams and wife, Michelle, of Hanahan, S.C., Cheryl Lacasse, Gary Lacasse and wife, Carrie, Nancy Lavertu and husband, Marc, all of Lewiston; Michael Strong and wife, Vanessa, of Littleton, Mass., and Matthew Strong of Auburn: grandnieces and nephews include, Adam, Taylor, and Kelsey Austin of Hanahan, S.C., Katie LaBonte and husband, David, of Gorham, Kriten Lacasse, Chantalle and Kevin Lavertu of Lewiston and Maximillian and Dante Strong of Littleton, Mass.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.