Laconia-Roland "Rollie" Joseph Cormier, 81, of Parade Road died Wednesday afternoon, June 14, 2006 peacefully surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer at his home.
Roland was born in Laconia on March 25, 1925, the son of the late Joseph N. and Lena (Bilodeau) Cormier, and had been a lifelong resident.
Roland attended school in Laconia. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1943 to 1948 including service in the Pacific on the USS Intrepid as a Seaman 1st Class in Division V2T until September 1945.
Roland was an avid musician and played the saxophone with a number of bands within the Lakes Region during the 1940’s and 1950’s.
Roland was a tool design engineer for Scott & Williams, Inc. for 17 years. He was the proprietor of Cormier’s Cabinet shop for many years, and also worked for the State of New Hampshire.
During his lifetime Roland was a master cabinetmaker, carpenter, and builder. He coached youth baseball, and was a longtime member of Oak Hill Golf Course. He enjoyed fishing and snowmobiling on Lake Winnisquam where he had lived for many years. He was life member of the Laconia Lodge of Elks No. 876.
Roland was predeceased by one sister, Violet Leighton in 1994, and a grandson Christopher Stitt in 1990.
He leaves behind a caring and loving family that enjoyed many wonderful times together throughout the years.
Roland is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth (Foster) Cormier, three daughters, June Martel and her husband Michael, Julie Plante and her husband Peter, and Janice Stitt, one son, Joseph Cormier and his wife Alice, one sister, Joan Cormier and her husband Don Lockwood all of Laconia. 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive him.
Visiting hours were held on Monday, June 19th, 2006 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Simoneau-Paquette Memorial Home, 139 Church Street, Laconia. Funeral Services followed the visiting hours at 4:00 p.m. at the Memorial Home. Family and friends were invited to attend.
For those who wish, the family suggests expressions of sympathy in Roland’s name be made to Community Health & Hospice, Inc., 780 North Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246, or visit www.chhnh.org