Salem: Roger E. Belanger, 88, husband of Lorraine D. (LaBrie) Belanger of Salem, died Wednesday August 15, 2007 at his home surrounded by his family.
Mr. Belanger was born on August 27, 1918 in Salem, son of the late Ernest and Amanda (Bedard) Belanger. He was raised and educated in Salem and was a lifelong resident of the city. During WW II, he served in the United States Navy as a GM3 and saw battle aboard U.S. Cruisers in the Pacific Theater of Operation.
Mr. Belanger was employed as a machinist / foreman for 42 years at the United Shoe Machinery Corporation in Beverly retiring in 1981 from their Peabody location. He was a 3rd Degree member of the Knight of Columbus Council # 76 in Salem, the Franco American Club in Beverly and the USMC Quarter Century Club. He and his wife wintered in Largo FL for 22 years and a few years ago were the Salem’s Heritage Day Parade King and Queen. He traveled extensively throughout the United Sates and Canada and also vacationed in Mexico and the Islands. He enjoyed square dancing, bowling, shuffle boarding, bingo, and as an avid golfer he made a hole in one while wintering in Florida. He even went air ballooning in Utah while visiting his daughter.
In addition to his wife of 67 years, he is survived by his children and their spouses, Priscilla L. O’Donnell of Salem, Norman R. and Virginia Belanger of Topsfield and Arlene D. and William Thomson of Vernal UT; a brother and 2 sisters-in-law, Robert and Myrna Belanger of San Jose CA and Alice Belanger of Middleton; his grandchildren and their spouses, Kevin and Sandra O’Donnell, Pamela and Richard Arno, Michael and Debra O’Donnell, Thomas and Nancy O’Donnell, Peter and Andrea O’Donnell, Paul and Carol Belanger, Robert Walsh, Amy Garcia, and Jody and Jeffery Preston; 20 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His granddaughter Sharon Belanger Walsh, a son-in-law George O’Donnell and his siblings Raymond Belanger and Marie LeBlanc predeceased him.
His funeral will be held on Monday August 20, 2007 at 9 a.m. from the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St., [Rt. 114 / 1-A] Salem followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. James Church, Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice of the North Shore, 10 Elm St., Danvers MA 01923.