Roland F. Laberge

WINCHENDON - Roland F. Laberge, 85, of 152 Mill Circle, Winchendon Springs, died unexpectedly Friday evening, August 28th in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, after being stricken ill at home. He was born in Winchendon Springs on February 3,1924, the son of the late Henry and Albertine (Caouette) Laberge and lived in Winchendon Springs for most of his life. Roland was a foreman at the former Temple Stuart Company in Baldwinville for 40 years until his retirement 20 years ago. A 1942 graduate of Murdock High School, Roland proudly served in the United States Army as a Technical Sergeant. He served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe and was a member of the 296th Combat Engineers Batallion. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon. Roland was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, a 50 year member of Eugene M. Connor Post 193 American Legion and was a member of Lt. Frederick Wilder White Post 2158 VFW. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics fan and enjoyed carpentry. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. His wife, Cecile (Courtemanche) Laberge, died in 1999. He leaves two children, Albert R. Laberge and his wife Paula of Mount Joy, PA and Cynthia A. Levasseur and her husband Leo of Gardner; five grandchildren, Sean Lafrennie, Ryan Lafrennie, Denee Levasseur, Sheri Levasseur and Stacy Laberge; four great grandchildren, Christopher Lafrennie, Annamarie Lafrennie, Skyler Lafrennie and Jacob Lafrennie, as well as many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a great granddaughter Chelsea Lafrennie in 2003; one brother, Amedee Laberge and four sisters, Yvonne Tousignant, Elizabeth Mailloux, Juliette Cournoyer and Antoinette R. Williams. Funeral services will he held Wednesday, September 2nd from the Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home will be Tuesday, September 1st from 6 to 8 P.M. with a Legion Service at 7 P.M. Memorial donations may be made to CAPS Educational Collaborative Rainbow Program, 53 School Street, Gardner, MA. 01440. www.stone-ladeau.com