Roger J. Deschenes

TURNER – Roger J. Deschenes, 93, of Turner, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026, at his home with his loving wife by his side. He was born on Oct. 26, 1932, in Salem, Mass., the son of Antonio and Albina Dufour Deschenes. His grandparents emigrated from Canada to work in the Pequot Mills in Salem, Mass. where Roger was born.

He grew up in Beverly, Mass., and was a 1951 graduate from Beverly High School.  He and a few buddies from high school all joined the service after graduation. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1955 during the Korean War. After his service in the Navy, Roger began his career in sales with Supermarket Distributors, rising to Vice President directing sales on the North Shore and the Cape in Massachusetts. He then moved to Roche Brothers Supermarkets where he retired as a Director of General Merchandise.

He married Ann Louise Robinson on April 27, 1957. They made their home in Ipswich, Mass. Roger and Ann enjoyed 34 years together before her passing in 1990. The family operated Robinson’s Ice Cream stand in Ipswich, on Argilla Road, minutes from Crane’s Beach and the ocean. The children grew up with summers dipping ice cream and enjoying the bountiful vegetable gardens, fruit trees and flowers that Roger grew with his father-in-law.

Roger met Joan (Richardson) Bryant, at Turner Village Cemetery in Turner. They were both mourning the death of a spouse and become friends over their shared loss. They were married in September 1992.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Ann, and his sisters, Lorraine Nelson and Jacqueline Colanto.

Roger is survived by his wife, Joan Bryant-Deschenes of Turner; children, Scott Deschenes of Auburn, Terry Monbleau and husband Joe of Turner and Kathryn Dyer and husband Bill of Turner; his nine grandchildren, Chad Dyer and his partner Jessica Kimball, Annie Dyer Gray and husband Nick; Paige Dyer Knowlton and her husband Steve; Charlsie Monbleau Harder and her husband Kyle; Dana Monbleau Brown and her husband Alex.

His nine great-grandchildren Mason and Madelyn Knowlton; Carter and Jillian Gray; Hallie and Myles Harder; Ruby, Reagan and Robin Brown; his stepchildren Dr. Shane Bryant and his partner Sara Bumby, Shane’s daughters Elizabeth and Catherine Bryant, Sara’s sons Calvin and Elijah; Jason Bryant and his wife Peggy Bryant, and their daughters Victoria and Gwendolyn Bryant, Maggie Cyr and her husband, Nathan.

Roger enjoyed gardening, golfing, and dancing but most of all, time spent with family. He could be very stubborn but always had love in his heart. His last weeks were filled with the love of his great grandchildren, many of them looking at him with their beautiful blue eyes and his blue eyes looking back.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com

A graveside service with military honors at Turner Village Cemetery, Church Street, Turner, will be announced at a later date. Arrangements by Finley Funeral Home, 15 Church St., Livermore Falls.