On Thursday September 2, 2021 at the age of 84. Beloved husband of Micheline (née Dupras). Loving father to Pierre (Monique). Proud and cherished grandfather to Sophie (Kiel) and Bozanna (Tyler) and great-grandchildren Melodie, Gracelyn and Kasey. Dearest brother to many sibling and fondly remembered my many nieces and nephews.
Digital Guestbook
KimAnn
J Phillips
Mes sincères condoléances à toute la famille. Roland repose sûrement en paix.
Pauline Poulin
La perte de mon cher oncle Roland me rempli de tristesse. Je garderai de lui un souvenir d’un oncle taquin qui aimait la vie.
Mes pensées vont à sa chère Micheline qui l’aimait tant.
Laurier and Karen Maltais
Roland, our dear brother, the love and the bond we shared with you will live in our hearts forever.
Laurier and Karen
Pierre Nolet
Sincères condoléances à toute la famille et bon courage Micheline
Pierre et Françoise Nolet anciens voisins
Sophie
Grand-papa
I've always dreaded saying goodbye to you. I knew it wouldn't be easy. But having to do it while the world has turned upside down makes it all hurt even more.
I'm sorry we couldn't be there. You deserved better.
You lived to please those around you, and nothing made you quite as happy as seeing someone smile.
You were always my best friend, so I spent a lot of time with you growing up. You probably had no idea how much I was paying attention, but I was. You're the reason I know what kindness, empathy, and selfless love is.
When I'd run into your office at the end of your workday, acting like I owned the place. I saw you treat all your employees with the utmost respect. They were always smiling, and receptive to you. Looking back, letting your five-year-old granddaughter interrupt important meetings, and make demands of candy on the intercom probably gave them comfort, knowing you were a family man first.
Whenever a friend needed a hand moving, or fixing something, or renovating, or any other big project that required muscle or expertise, you were there, every single time. No pizza or beer required either. Sometimes I hated giving up time with you so we could go to an aunt's or friend's house to help. But I also remember seven-year-old me thinking "Yep, that's my grandpa! The nicest, strongest grandpa in the world!"
You were tall, stoic, even intimidating at times. But you could never watch the World Vision commercials or sit through any sad movies with me if they involved kids. It broke your tender heart. I know that, even though I've only seen you cry twice. You felt so deeply.
I remember standing in line at Tim Horton's with you countless times and wanting to curl up in a corner when you struck up conversations with strangers. But despite my own shyness, they always left smiling. You loved to toss a little compliment and brightness their way.
I could easily list a dozen friends of mine who have reached out since you left us. It's amazing how much of an impact you had on them too. Some who you've only met once or twice even. They saw your character. They love you too.
You were such a cool grandpa, one of my friends even wandered over to your house in Florida to share a bottle of wine and a chat, without me even being in the country! My friends wanted to see you! This brings me joy. I love that people got to see a glimpse of your incredibly sweet, generous soul.
And those are just examples of the ray of sunshine you were for others. It doesn't even touch your immediate family.
Grand-maman, Dad, Bo and I, we were your heart and soul. I want you to know, we know that.
You worked so hard to give us all the world. And you succeeded.
I remember when I was a little girl, spending most nights at your house and getting up before the crack of dawn the next day. I would always quietly walk over to the left side of the bed where you were and I'd whisper incessantly for 10 minutes, until you agreed to wake up.
Even if I was old enough to make my own breakfast, and turn on the TV, I still needed my Grand-papa with me. I wanted him with me. So I kept at it, and every single morning, you eventually got up without a complaint. I realize now how annoying that was.
The day could entail almost anything you didn't want to do, like fishing (I know you HATED fishing. But you brought me every weekend!) shopping, or renting movies you had no desire to watch. You did it all with a smile on your face, just to see the smile on mine.
When Bo was born, I saw your face light up with every visit. Another little princess to make your whole world. I watched you fawn over her and knew you had done the same for me. It was so magical to get to see it from an older perspective. Your love really was the purest.
Despite your softness, you also stood up for what you believed. And you were never afraid to defend someone in need. I've watched you do it all, from making kids pick up their litter, to physically standing between a man grabbing at a woman on the sidewalk.
I saw that too. And I'm trying to do more of that now that you're gone. The world needs that part of you. We need to care about others the same way you did.
Grand-papa, I know you worried about us all a lot. I know you hid your declining health for a long time while we got on our own feet. Once we branched off and started our own families, you finally felt comfortable facing what was coming. I saw the timing. I know that's what you did.
We're okay, Grand-papa. I promise. We are okay, and we love you. We are so glad you aren't suffering anymore. Don't worry about us.
I'll never forget our thousands of cribbage games, sour cream glazed donuts, 8pm Blockbuster trips, Helmut Lotti, watching Sens games together, stealing your sudokus or how you take your coffee.
And I know you never wanted anyone to know you secretly liked Shaggy songs, but I'll always belt out "Wasn't Me" and "Angel" and think of you, and our drives together.
I can't keep any part of who you were a secret. Because the world deserves to know you.
I love you so much Grand-papa, and I wish I had told you all of this sooner, and that I could have been there holding your hand. But you were my best friend. So I know you know. I feel it.
I promise to tell your story forever.
Fraser Hawkes
I am deeply saddened by your loss. May you remember the good times.
May God bless you indeed.
Chantale Carette
Toutes mes condoléances à la famille. Une pensée spéciale pour Hélène, mon bras droit à l'École L'Héritage de St. Catharines.
Caitlin
To Sophie, Bo, and your families -
I'm so sorry for the loss you've experienced. And it is a loss. I know how important of a role your grandpa played in your lives. He will live on forever in the many memories you can share with your little ones.
My deepest condolences for your loss, you're in my thoughts.
Rita Dumont
Sincères condoléances à Toute la famille.
Que de beaux souvenirs de Roland.
Il n’est pas loin, il veillera sur Vous Tous, surtout sa Mimi qu’il aimait tant.
I am so sorry for you loss! He had the most hearty laugh, loved to joke and tease! He loved his grand daughters so much
Cherish the memories xo