Roland Roger Desrochers

Left to cherish his memory are son Gary (Christine) and their children Sean (Alexandra Beaumont) and Kieran; daughter Laurie (David Livingston) and their children Cameron, Michael and Emily and daughter-in-law Sandy Desrochers and children Chantal and Braden. Roland adored his grandchildren and often told them how proud he was of them. Roland also leaves his brother Roger Gaucher (Elaine) and sister Stella Epp.

Roland was born and raised in Mariapolis, Manitoba. At eighteen years of age he came to Winnipeg where he met our mother, Marjorie. They were married on New Year’s Eve 1954. After raising their family in South Osborne they moved to River Park South in 1980, where they remained until Marjorie’s passing in 2001. Roland then moved to Mike Sunka Place.

Roland spent the majority of his working years at Manitoba Possible where he transported children and adults to school and on various excursions; a job he greatly enjoyed.

Camping and travelling were favourite activities for Roland and Marjorie. Family camping trips were planned across Canada or simply to the lake for the weekend. Later when the children were older, Rollie and Marj enjoyed bus trips to various locations in the US. In retirement he enjoyed daily meetings with his group of friends for discussions and coffee.

Mike Sunka Place provided an enjoyable and welcoming home for Roland. When we visited him there, numerous people would stop us and share that they thought him a wonderful person. He was friendly to all and always more than willing to lend a helping hand if needed. The family would especially like to thank Wayne, Fred and Barb for their friendship.

As at this time there will be no service for Roland. The immediate family will gather for a private interment in the Holy Angel Mausoleum at Green Acres Funeral Home where he will be reunited with Marjorie.

The family would like to thank the compassionate staff at the St Boniface Hospital ICMS unit for making Roland’s last few hours comfortable and peaceful.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society in acknowledgement of Rollie’s love of dogs.

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

Afterglow By Carol Merkel