SALEM - On November 30th, at 8 AM , his favorite time of day, J. Roger Rainville passed from this life peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family, after a long and courageous battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, an uncommon blood disease. Because of his fortitude and positive attitude, he lived several years beyond all the medical projections of life-span for this disease. He faced his illness as he did his life, with optimism, humor, and words of wisdom and without complaint.
Roger was born November 4, 1927 in Salem to Ludger and Emelia (Dube) Rainville. He was the beloved husband of Loretta (Lepkowski) Rainville, with whom he shared 55 years of marriage, and the beloved father of Peter Rainville of Granby, CT and Judee Rainville of Northampton, MA. He adored and was cherished by his five grandchildren, Emma and Nathaniel Carhart of Northampton, MA, and Alex, and his twin brothers Scott and Brian Rainville of Granby, CT, and his two step-grandchildren, Alex and Olivia Milne of Northampton, MA.
Roger graduated from St. John’s Prep School, Class of 1947 where he excelled in football & hockey, and after serving as a Corporal in the U.S. Army, attended Merrimac College and continued on to receive his BS/BA from Salem State College and his MS in Taxation from Bentley College. He began his career with CBS Electronics and stayed on after purchase of the facility by Raytheon. Throughout his career he worked in a variety of managerial positions for Raytheon, before settling into overseeing State Taxation for the company at its corporate headquarters in Lexington, a position he continued until his retirement in 1991.
Roger’s unique sense of humor and easy going manner attracted the many friends that he shared a bond with until the end of his life. He spent many hours in their company simply enjoying conversation regarding sports, investments, philosophy and life and sharing laughter with them.
He loved his family to the utmost, and in the years after his diagnosis he spent as much time as possible with his wife, children and the grandchildren he adored. He loved summer vacations by the ocean with his family, tending vegetable gardens at his own home and his children’s homes, and the simple pleasures of a game of cards, a jigsaw puzzle, and a gin & tonic at cocktail hour. He taught his family the importance of education, hard work, honesty and “doing the right thing” in work and in life. He will be remembered for his love of life, his easy smile and his generous nature.
In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren he leaves his daughter-in-law, Susan Campbell Rainville, and his son-in-law, Christopher Milne. He also leaves his sister Rita Finniss of Salem, and two brothers Andre and Robert Rainville, both of Florida as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and numerous friends. He was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Anita Oliver, and his brothers, George and Louis Rainville.
There are no calling hours. There will be a Memorial Service to celebrate his life at The Chapel at St. John’s Preparatory School, 72 Spring St., Danvers, MA on Saturday, December 29th at 10 AM, to which all his relatives and friends are invited. A luncheon reception will follow at the main ballromm of the Hawthorne Hotel, on Salem Common, Salem. For those who wish, contributions may be made to the J. Roger Rainville Scholarship Fund, St. John’s Preparatory School, 72 Spring Street, Danvers, MA 01923, or to Hospice of the North Shore, Elm St., Danvers, MA.01923. For on-line guestbook/condolences and other information, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.
Roger will long live on in the hearts and memories of all who cared deeply about him.