Mr. Roland W. Desfosses, 82, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, April 9, 2013 surrounded by his family, at Parkland Medical Center in Derry. Roland was born September 14, 1930 to Pierre and Aleida (Lemay) Desfosses in Lawrence, MA. He was a retired employee of Newark Atlantic Paper Company. Roland was a devout Roman Catholic and attended St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Derry. Roland was a Euchristic Minister and a member of the Holy Name Society. He was a quiet, simple man and if you asked him what his greatest joy in life was, he would say "my family". He was known affectionately as "Pep" by all his grandchildren who loved to play with the wisps of his hair and make them stand straight up. He collected baseball caps and always had a collection of them in the rear window of his car. he enjoyed playing bingo with his wife Helene and would go to play regularly. Roland loved to root for the Boston sports teams, especially the Red Sox. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helene (Dube) Desfosses, 3 daughters: Elaine & her husband Raymond Robidoux of Windham, NH, Janet & her husband Daniel Desrosiers of Epping , NH, Maryclaire & her husband Robert Plourde of Derry, NH, 4 sons: Russell & his wife Carol Ann Desfosses of Phoenix, AZ, Donald & his wife Maureen Desfosses of Sandown, NH, Gene & his wife Paula Desfosses of Salem, NH, and Carl Desfosses of Derry, NH. He was also predeceased by sisters Beatice Desfosses, Theresa Cowan, Gertrude Morasse, Irene Lavigne, Elizabeth Gelinas and his brother George Desfosses. In lieu of flower donations may be made in his memory to Amedisys Home Health Care and Hospice, 1 E Commons Drive, Unit 31, Londonderry, NH 03053 A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 am at St. Patrick Church, Lawrence, MA. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Andover. Friends may call on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, at the Breen Funeral Home, 35 Merrimack Street, North Andover. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Racicot Funeral Home. www.racicotfuneralhome.com 978-683-2706