Mr. Roger Roy Dufresne, a resident of Seabrook, New Hampshire formerly of andover, mass and beloved husband of Barbara (Parsons) died at the Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport on Thursday, April 22, 2010. He was 80 years old.
Born in Dracut on October 14, 1929, Roger was the beloved son of the late William and Simone (Giroux) Dufresne. He was raised with his two brothers in a french speaking family in Lowell. Roger served as an altar boy at St. Jean D’Acr church and graduated form the church school. Throughout his life, Roger was a master carpenter. He remodeled many kitchens and built cabinets by hand. He also built many pieces of furniture, which his family will cherish.
Roger was a veteran of the US Army. He was a military police, serving in Guissen, Germany from 1951 - 1953. He enjoyed his time as an MP and when he returned home, he became a member of the Andover Police Department, where he was a police officer and retired after thirty years of service in 1985. Many folks recognized him walking the beat up and down Main Street. Following his retirement, Roger worked at Phillips Academy as a carpenter until 1995.
In 2001, Roger and his wife, Barbara, whom he met on a blind date in 1950, sold their family home of 48 years on Enmore Street and built a new home in Seabrook, New Hampshire. Roger loved being by the shore and appreciated having a new house which didn’t require lots of maintenance. He enjoyed caring for the outside property as Barbara’s “Pool Boy” and enjoyed the gardening that came along with it. His hydrangeas were his favorite.
He was a member of the Massachusetts Police Association and the Knights of Columbus.
Roger was the N.E. Patriots most avid fan and for 10 years, was a season ticket holder. He and Barbara have fond memories of their tailgating and football Sunday’s. He was a man of honor, integrity and hard work, with a great heart and helping hand throughout his life.
His greatest joy was his time with family, whether by the pool and cooking out, at the beach for Friday night cocktails, or big holiday dinners.
In October, 2009, Roger was honored with a surprise 80th birthday party, where he connected with many old Lowell friends, family members and former Andover Police colleagues. He spoke fondly of that day ever since.
He married the love of his life, Barbara (Parsons) of Andover on September 8, 1951.
Besides his wife Barbara, he will be missed by his ten children; Karen Krug and her husband David of Connecticut, Linda Phelan and her husband Patrick of Seabrook, Deborah Karpiak and her husband Joseph of Seabrook, Sandra Mickee and her husband David of Hampton, Nancy Hood and her husband Mike of Andover, Jamie Dufresne Dixon of Hampton, William Dufresne of Hampton, Michael Dufresne of Seabrook, Christina Mercuri and her husband George of Chelmsford and Matthew Dufresne and his wife Wendy of Colorada Springs, CO, 23 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Roger was pre-deceased by his younger brothers, Roland and Rene.
His funeral mass was celebrated in St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex Street, Andover, Monday, April 26, at 10 AM. Many relatives and friends are respectfully attended. Calling hours were held in the Burke-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 390 North Main Street, Andover, Sunday, April 25, from 2 to 6 PM. Burial was in Spring Grove Cemetery, Andover. In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Frmaingham, MA 01701. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.