Roger J. Plante

WINCHENDON – Roger J. Plante, 65, of 439 West Street, died peacefully at his residence Friday afternoon, October 30th, with his family at his side.

He was born in Winchendon on April 25, 1950, son of the late Roger L. and Hazel (McCloskey) Plante and was a 1968 graduate of Murdock High School.

Following high school, Roger entered the Navy and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War.  He worked with submarines and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.  During his working career, Roger worked for Petrullo Construction in Fitchburg as shop mechanic and Monadnock Fabricators in Rindge as shop foreman.  He later worked for many years as a mechanical and electrical engineering technician at the Smithsonian Institute and was quite involved with submillimeter array project in Mauna Kea, Hawaii.  In 2008 he retired.

Roger built his own home 39 years ago.  Quite handy, he could fix anything.  He always said he could steel your job with his eyes.  His hobbies included scuba diving, traveling, camping, hunting, fishing, ultralight flying, hot rods, pickle ball, woodworking, and making vases and bowls on his lathe.  His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family and friends.  He was a member of Eugene M. Connor Post 193 American Legion.

He leaves his wife of 44 years. Lois C. (Whitney) Plante; two children, Shad W. Plante and his wife Jessica and Krissy Buteau and her husband Kenneth, both of Winchendon; two grandchildren, Katelyn M. Buteau and Lucas L. Plante; his siblings, Jeannette R. Herr of Westminster and Richard J. Plante of Westminster and several nieces and nephews.  A brother, Thomas A. Plante, predeceased him.

Military funeral services will be held Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 1 P.M. in Massachusetts Veteran’s memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice, 25 Tucker Drive, Leominster, MA 01453.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

www.stone-ladeau.com