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 August 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 21 ^st 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 5 very special children, David, Bruce, Wayne, Linda and Kevin within the next 15 years. The family made a cross country month long 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 managing 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 2 terms as commander, finance officer, 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 5 years a highlight of which was touring the original launch pad in Cape Canaveral, FL, “Anavicus” – honorary life member of Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada and long-time 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, MA; 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 US Army base in Arizona 34 years ago, his brother Robert Fournier.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Roland will be held at 1:00 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 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre.

In lieu of flowers it was Roland’s wish that memorial contributions be made to a veteran’s organization of your choice as he held very high the care of our Veterans.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Berlin Health and Rehabilitation, Brookside in White River Jct., 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.