The son of Alfred and Merilda (Raymond) Valliere, Roland was born on May 8, 1928, in Biddeford, was educated in Biddeford schools, and after a long illness, passed away on his own terms as he desired, surrounded by the love of his children in the comfort of his home. He was 88 years of age.
Roland served two terms of duty in the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Germany and Austria. Following his military service and throughout his life, he worked for many local businesses, including the Singer Sewing Machine Co., the Pepperell Mill, Farrar Brown Auto Parts Store and Shape Inc.
On July 5, 1954, he married Simone Pruneau at St. Andre’s Church in Biddeford, and during their next 57 years together, raised their three children and were blessed with two grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Roland was a man of many talents and skills. His fine woodworking skills were devoted to the repair of stringed instruments such as guitars, mandolins and fiddles; to the handcrafting of his own dobro guitars which he built to play his beloved bluegrass music; and to the decorative mother of pearl inlay artwork that graced them.
His passion for bluegrass began at an early age, and inspired a musical career that spanned over 60 years. A self-taught musician who played by ear, Roland was well-known for his talent in playing the dobro and fiddle. He performed through the years with fellow musicians he respected and admired in many bands; included among them were the The Rainbow Ramblers, Al Hawkes and The Cumberland Ridge Runners, Tiny Martin and The Countrysiders, Jimmy Cox and “Coastline Charlie” Gilliam as The Blue Mountain Boys, Mac and Hazel McGee’s White Mountain Bluegrass, and Alan “Mac” McHale and The Old Time Radio Gang.
He was also honored to play alongside such notable bluegrass musicians as Mac Wiseman and the father of bluegrass music, Mr. Bill Monroe. He was given the stage name “Smokey Val” for the rosin that rose from his bow as he played the “Orange Blossom Special,” a fiddle tune he performed at the close of most every show. He was also a regular musician on the “Ken MacKenzie Show” on WGAN broadcast TV in the 1960s.
In 2008, Roland was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky, as one of the “Pioneers of Bluegrass Music,” an honor bestowed upon a select group of first-generation bluegrass musicians and performers whose talents were instrumental in promoting and popularizing the genre at home and abroad. For Smokey, this recognition represented the highlight of his musical career.
Roland was preceded in death by: his wife, Simone; his stepfather, Emile Ouellette; his step-grandson, John A. Gelardi; and a brother-in-law, Wilfrid Roy.
He will be deeply missed by: his daughters, Jacqueline M. Gelardi and her husband Anthony L. Gelardi, and Pamela V. Anderson and her husband Peter C. Anderson; his son, Bernard P. Valliere; his beloved grandchildren, Tatiana L. Whitlock, and Anthony Gelardi II and his fiancée Kendra Gray; his step-grandchild, Karen E. Gelardi; his beloved great-grandchildren, Aveline Simone Whitlock and Phillip Anthony Whitlock; his sister, Rita Roy; his loving sisters in-law, Yvette Pruneau and Marlene Krapf; and many beloved cousins, nieces, a nephew and very dear friends.
With heartfelt gratitude, Jacqueline, Bernard and Pamela wish to express their sincere appreciation to the many caregivers from Hospice of Southern Maine, who made it possible for Roland to receive the very best of compassionate and loving care in the comfort of his home, and to everyone who came to spend time with him and filled his home with their love and beautiful music during his final days. The joy you brought him was a gift beyond measure, and a memory that will be forever cherished by his children.
Calling hours will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Most Holy Trinity Church, Good Shepherd Parish, 271 Main St., Saco. A burial service will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, 120 West St., Biddeford.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a gift in Roland’s memory to one of his favorite charitable organizations: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the American Legion or Hospice of Southern Maine.
To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.