Roland Joseph Blais

RUMFORD – Roland Joseph Blais, 87, of Lewiston, died on March 1, 2026. He was born in Rumford on Feb. 15, 1939, to Gerard and Lena Blais. He graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford in 1958.

Roland served in the Navy from 1959 – 1963 and was commissioned on the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier and served in the Army from 1963 – 1966. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the U.S. Army Marksmen Rifle Badge. He also served as an interpreter with the French and German soldiers overseas when he was station at Walsrode, Germany.

Roland worked for Pratt & Whitney while living in Connecticut and then returned to Maine. Roland owned and operated the Sportsman’s club in Lewiston for over 30 years and sold it in 2006. During this time he was an advocate for the gay community, and he was their voice. He participated in AIDS activism and community events like raising money for AIDs, breast cancer, and toy runs. Roland was published in the Newsweek magazine for bringing to light equal rights. In his 60’s and 70’s he worked as a parking garage attendant for the City of Lewiston and then moved to the Dominican Republic where he opened a storefront business selling his homemade banana bread and taught English to the locals.

Roland’s life was well lived. He is known for his interest in his Acadian ancestry and family genealogy. He spoke three languages and loved to talk to people he did not know to learn where they were from and about their culture. He had a heart for those less fortunate and would offer them a place to stay and feed them. Roland was a gypsy and enjoyed traveling and would often boondock wherever he landed.

He is survived by his brother, Norman Blais and sister-in-law, Ann Blais; nieces and nephews, Terri Dube and her partner Chris Ackerman, Anita Blais (spouse of Steve Blais), David and Teri Blais, Michelle and Norman Young, Julie and Mark Daniels, Dan and Mary Blais, Pam and David Welch, Debbie Blais, Robert Blais; and 13 great nephews and nieces.

He was predeceased by his parents; brother, Gerard Blais, Jr., sister, Mary Dube, sister-in-law, Louise Blais; nephew, Steve Blais; and great nephew, Brandon Young.

A special thank you to Rumford Community Home staff.

Service scheduled for a later date this summer and will be posted on Meader and Son Funeral Home website. To make an online condolence please visit http://www.meaderandson.com.