Roland E. Dansereau

VERNON, VT / RUTLAND, MA - Roland E. Dansereau, 94, a former longtime Rutland resident, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 in the Franklin Bay State Medical Center, Greenfield.

Roland was born and raised in Ware, son of the late Joseph E. and Celia (Colette) Dansereau. Following his graduation from Ware High School, Roland entered the US Army Air Corps, serving during World War II in the European theater. Upon his return from service, Roland worked as a highway laborer for Mass Highway, then moved to Rutland and worked for Veterans Administration and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the former Rutland Heights Hospital, serving as the head housekeeper for over 30 years, retiring in 1985. Roland was an avid fan of many sports including the Red Sox and football games at Holy Cross. He loved children and was known throughout the family as a soft spoke, reserved man. He was a voracious reader and was always able to come up with the answer for any questions when asked. He will be greatly missed by his family.

Roland is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Lois J. (Tillotson) Dansereau; his four stepdaughters, Linda Kittredge and her husband, David of North Brookfield, Christine Younger and her husband, Gary of Vernon, VT, Nancy Grenier and her husband, Paul of Rutland, MA and Mary Allen and her husband, Craig of Heber City, UT; his four grandchildren, Brian Grenier, Lisa Trum-Searah, Danielle Allen and Nicole Rugamas; his great-grandson, Aidan Rugamas; a cousin, Lucille Colette; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Ann Coyle and Harriett Formi.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit Roland’s family on Saturday, July 5 from 12-1 p.m. in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A funeral service with military honors will then follow at 1 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be private. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for Roland’s family, please sign the "guest book" here on our site.