1936 – 2015

AUBURN — Roland J. Violette, 78, went to be with his Lord Jesus, on Thursday, April 9, transferring his membership from the earthly church to the church triumphant. He died with his wife at his side at Androscoggin Hospice House, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Lauvriere, Restigouche Co., New Brunswick, Canada, on Oct. 14, 1936, the son of Maxime and Emma O’Rourke Violette. He was brought up in Old Orchard Beach and graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School. He later graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in education.

Roland married the love of his life, Nancy Bradstreet, in 1965. This winter, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on a Disney Cruise with their son’s families.

Roland taught mathematics at Corinna Union Academy and Lisbon High School for four years after graduating from college and then began his sales career. He worked inside sales at Maine Electronics for two years. For the rest of his career, he sold chemicals to the pulp and paper industry for Polar Chemicals, Pioneer Chemicals and Akzo Chemicals Inc. Roland retired in 1996 and started a second career pursuing his love of golf as “The Golf Doctor,” building custom-made golf clubs. Roland permanently retired in 2006.

He enjoyed golfing, doing crossword puzzles and reading. He loved going to the movies, theater game nights and out to dinner with special friends. Cooking and creating new recipes were his passion, but he could never remember the recipe. He seldom cooked an ‘ordinary’ meal. He enjoyed traveling with Nancy during their retirement. One of his favorite pastimes was spending time with his grandkids.

He was very active in St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Lisbon Falls, serving in many capacities over the years. He especially liked his time with the men’s group and the Bible study groups he attended or led. He served for many years as the state coordinator of Faith Alive and developed and led Spiritual Gifts Workshops all over the eastern part of the country.

Roland is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons, Jeffrey and wife, Susan, of Lexington Ky.; Gregory and wife, Kate, of Portland; grandsons, Alex, Connor and Mitchel; granddaughter, Sennette; sister, Alphena and husband, Arthur Babineau, of Brewer; brother, Alyre (Bobby) and companion, Annette, of Barnet, Vt.; brother, Fernand and wife, Virginia, of Scarborough; his wife’s family, Sally and David Soelle of Lawton, Okla., Alan and Susan Bradstreet of Pownal, Wendy and Richard Rozene of Cumberland, Stephen and Mary Bradstreet of Gorham, and Susan and Stephen Englert of Manchester, N.H. He is also survived by 32 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Roland was the youngest of 10 children and was predeceased by his parents; his sisters (and spouses), Pauline and Roland Violette, Almeda and Romeo DeCormier, and Agnella and Edward Butts; brothers (and spouses) Hubert and Esther and Marie (second wife), Violette, Aime and Alfreda Violette, and Leo and Lena Violette; and in-laws, Juliette Violette, Gladys and Alfred (Brad) Bradstreet; and two nephews.

For more information, to view a longer obituary and share stories, please go to www.crosmanfuneralhome.com.

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