Cdr. Roland G. FOURNIER
GRANITEVILLE - Roland Gilbert Fournier, 84, a lifelong citizen of the Hill, peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin, with his loving family gathered at his bedside.
He was born in Barre City on Aug. 27, 1932, to the French and Scot families of Conrad Buchie Fournier and Jeannine Smith.
He received his elementary education at the Holy Ghost Convent and graduated in 1950 from the old Spaulding High School on Washington Street.
His military service to his country was in Korea arriving on his 21st birthday, but it was also after the treaty had been signed and his army duties were as a MP.
After a safe return home on Christmas Eve, he continued working for Rock of Ages in the quarries.
Even though the Fournier and Goulet families knew each other, it was until 1955 when Doris Goulet started working at the brand new Rock of Ages manufacturing plant that they started dating. They were married on June 22, 1957, when ladies still wore hats in church; we have proof in our wedding pictures. The union brought five very special children, David, Bruce, Wayne, Linda and Kevin, within the next 15 years. The family made a cross-country, monthlong camping trip.
In 1961, Roland was involved, along with Floyd McNally, in a quarry accident; their lives were surely saved that day by the professional engineer, John Michell, and the crew. We were so thankful to them and Dr. John Perry, who had been lowered in the hole for their medical care. After recuperating, Roland moved to a desk job as the stock clerk inventory manager and he retired in 1993.
Together, he and Doris traveled to many different cities and 13 states for Legion conferences, conventions and other events, including marching in parades, baseball and Boys' State.
His memberships included: Quarter Century Club of Rock of Ages for 43 years; lifetime member of St. Sylvester Church where he served as an altar boy; Barre Town Democratic Committee member and poll worker; justice of the peace in Barre Town, having received a certificate of recognition for serving in this role for over 30 years; Barre Senior Center; lifetime member of 63 years of The American Legion Post #10 of Barre, where he served two terms as commander, finance officer, was involved in Legion baseball and served on the children and youth committee, as well as many other committees; lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #790 of Barre, where he served as commander as well as finance officer, member of the committee on children and youth, as well as many other committees; Barre Lodge of Elks #1535; United Steelworkers Union, Graniteville; Fire District and Water Supply; member of the National Security Committee for the National American Legion for five years, a highlight of which was touring the original launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida; Anavicus honorary life member of Army, Navy and Air Force veterans in Canada; and longtime member of La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux, The Society of 40 men and eight horses.
In his spare time through the years, Roland enjoyed Al Monty square dances at Barre Town School with his children, playing cribbage with the Scot Gordon Cribbage League, bowling at Twin City Lanes and Sunday morning card games at Couillard's Garage.
Survivors include his wife, Doris, of Graniteville; son David Fournier and his wife, Kelly, of East Montpelier; son Bruce Fournier, of Berlin; daughter Linda Bouffard and her husband, Tom, of Williamstown; son Kevin Fournier and his wife, Sonya, of Sutton, Massachusetts; grandchildren Erin and Bryant Cleveland, Bryce Cross and Chase Fournier; step-grandchildren Ashley and TJ Stanley, Elizabeth and Jason Cote-Wong, Christina and Natt Morris, Anna and Hendrik Reinhold, Tyler and Andrew Debrule; step-great-grandchildren Valentina Morris, Lyvia Stanley, Jayden Cote-Wong; his sister, Claire LaPerle and her husband, Norman, of East Montpelier; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as former daughters-in-law Jennifer Hughes and Kym Cross.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Wayne, while he was stationed at the U.S. Army base in Arizona 34 years ago, and his brother, Robert Fournier.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Roland will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2017, in the St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Graniteville. Interment will follow in the St. Sylvester Cemetery in Websterville. Family and friends may call on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre.
In lieu of flowers, it was Roland's wish that memorial contributions be made to a veterans organization of your choice as he held very high the care of our veterans.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Berlin Health and Rehabilitation, Brookside in White River Junction, Maple Lane in Barton and the Maple Grove Unit at Woodridge Nursing Home for their excellent care and rehabilitation, spiritually, socially and, in particular, the special holiday celebrations. Also, the Barre Area Veterans Council groups and the many visitors who were very helpful and a comfort to his well-being. We are grateful to the Plainfield Health Center and Dr. Elisha McLam, as well as all central Vermont agencies for their many services.
Roland G. Fournier
GRANITEVILLE - The largely attended Mass of Christian Burial for Roland G. Fournier, of McLeod Hill, was celebrated on Monday, May 1, 2017, at 1 p.m. in St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Graniteville. He passed away peacefully on April 22, 2017, at the Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin.
The Rev. Avelino S. Vale was the celebrant and was assisted by crucifer, Roger Cyr, and altar server, Logan Longchamp Folta.
Organist and singer, Rosemary Badeau, accompanied singers, Romeo Bilodeau, Ron Routhier, Bill Bugbee, Pearl Bugbee, Nick Conti and Sue Stone, in the hymns, "Precious Lord," "Take My Hand," "Prayer of St. Francis," "Let There Be Peace on Earth" and "When the Saints Go Marching In." Soloist, Georgette Coleman, sang the communion song, "Ave Maria."
The Eulogy was given by Roland's wife, Doris Fournier, and Melissa Houle offered the Prayer of the Faithful. Readings from the Old and New Testament were shared by friend, Joe Bouffard, and granddaughter, Erin Cleveland. Father Vale proclaimed the gospel and delivered the homily. The offertory gifts were presented at the altar by nieces, Donna LaPerle, Cindy Morancy, Theresa LeVasseur, Diane Clark and Karen Gallas.
Bagpiper, Don Murray, played various Scottish airs as the prelude music, as well as the postlude, "Amazing Grace."
A prayer service was held on Sunday evening at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home in Barre, conducted by Rev. Peter O'Leary.
Interment took place, following the Mass, in the St. Sylvester Cemetery in Websterville with Rev. Vale offering the committal prayers and the final blessing. The pallbearers were nephews, Lance Fournier, Dennis Fournier, Wade Fournier, Norman Fournier, and friends, Matt Dion and Fred Longchamp. The honorary bearers were Rinaldo Conti, Norman Dion, Bruce Judd, Leonard Normandeau, Howard Paxman, Wayne Pelkey, Ron Tallman and Stephen Weston. Military rites were accorded the deceased by the Vermont ARNG Military Honors Funeral Team. The firing squad was from the American Legion Post 9 of Randolph. Taps was played, and the folded flag was presented to wife, Doris Fournier, by Ron Tallman, the National Councilman for the Department of Vermont VFW. VFW Burial Ritual was recited by Ron Tallman and Malcolm MacAskill. Also, as a representative of Barre's VFW Post 790, Ron offered words of condolences to Roland's family.
Following the service, family and friends gathered at the VFW Post 790 on the East Barre Road for a time of sharing and a luncheon.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre.
