Roland was born in Brunswick Maine on August 7, 1939, the son of Rosario and Mary Jane Levesque.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 34 years, Beth of Brunswick Maine; his sons Gary Levesque of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and Michael Levesque, of Portland, Maine; his stepsons Christopher Gerow of Brunswick, Todd W. Gerow, and his wife, Christine of North Reading, Massachusetts; his brothers Louis Levesque, and his wife Joanne, of Topsham ME and Arthur Tetu and his wife Diana of Warwick, RI; his brother-in-law, Raymond Mac Mahon of Thailand; his grandchildren Jason Levesque of Tucson, AZ, Justen Levesque of Durham, Me, Emily Gerow of North Reading, Mass; his nephew Steven Levesque of New Gloucester, Maine; niece Nicole Levesque and her partner Fred Arsenault of Westbrook, Me.; and his uncle and aunt, Rev. Donald Gagne, and Ginette Beauchesne of Auburn. He also leaves several beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and Godchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife, Jeanne Tardiff Levesque, and many aunts and uncles.
Roland devoted much of his life to serving the Knights of Columbus. He was a member for 55 years. He cooked meals, organized events, supported friends, and loved to play cribbage with the guys. He took the KofC vows of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism to his heart, and held many positions with the Knights. He was Grand Knight (1979- 81 and 1987-88), Faithful Navigator (1991-93 and 1997-98) and in recent years he was the chair of the Columbus Club Inc. Roland brought comfort to many families at the annual KofC commemorative service where he lovingly eulogized fellow Knights who passed away each year.
Roland was also a strong member of the Willow Grove community. He cooked yearly summer lobster bakes for the community, hosted monthly men’s lunches, and recently began a men’s card group. He loved people and it showed!
Roland was a die-hard sports fan. He suffered a stroke upon arriving home after a wonderful evening of watching the Super Bowl with family. His beloved Pats, of course, won –So perhaps he thought his life was complete! Roland loved watching all sports – especially New England, Bowdoin and BHS teams. He could always be found in the same seat at the Morrell Gym for basketball. He also took great pride in watching his grandsons play high school football.
Roland was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He loved to cook for family and friends. He especially loved it when his sons and grandsons came to visit and he could cook for the them.
Roland was born and raised in Brunswick and loved this town. He only left for a few years while he was in the Navy and even then managed to get transferred to Brunswick Naval Air Station for the end of his 7 year Naval career. He took great pride in many of his military experiences, especially being on the Carrier Essex when they picked up the astronauts of Apollo 7 in October 1968.
As a young man, Roland managed the Bowling Bowl candlepin lane in Brunswick. He also worked at the First National Stores and later at Cottles Supermarket (now Hannaford). Following his Navy years, he joined the staff of Bowdoin College Dining Service, working his way from Baker to Head Chef at Bowdoin’s Moulton Union kitchen. Roland retired in 2001 with 32 years of service to Bowdoin and was made an Honorary Member of Bowdoin’s Alumni Association. He also was the recipient of Bowdoin’s first Polar Bear Award honoring his devotion to Athletics at Bowdoin.
In 2015, he was blessed with his beautiful granddaughter, Emily. She was the apple of his eye. Emily learned to say “Pepere” on her last visit with him and that pleased him very much.
Memorial contributions can be sent to the Brunswick Knights of Columbus Council 1947 (103 Harpswell Street, Suite 104, Brunswick, Maine 04011); or to CHANS Home Health & Hospice (60 Baribeau Drive, Brunswick, Me 04011)
Visiting hours will be on Sunday, February 19 from 1:00 – 4:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. John’s Church, Brunswick on Monday February 20 at 11:00 a.m.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
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