Roger R. Melanson
November 15, 1934 - January 10, 2012
Online Obituaries Roger Roland Melanson, 77, of Lancaster passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. He was born in Leominster to Clarence and Odile (Stebbins) Melanson. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Judith A. Melanson; their loving children: Lisa Hutter and her husband Jonathan of Scarborough, Maine, Mary Jo Fini of Gardner, Joseph Melanson and his wife Laura, of Templeton, Barbara Seifert and her husband Jeff, of Westford, Amy McLaughlin and her husband David, of Burlington, and Kristen West and her husband Andrew, of Royalston.
Roger was proud grandfather to 15 loving grandchildren: Brian Hutter, Specialist Adam S. Fini, Corie Hutter, Amanda Fini, Benjamin West, Julie Melanson, Jared Seifert, Jacob Seifert (predeceased), Elizabeth West, Sean McLaughlin, Joelle Melanson, Jack Seifert, Grace Seifert, Ryan McLaughlin, and Samantha West. He is also survived by brothers: Norman "Cookie" Melanson and his wife Catherine "Tina", and Paul Melanson his wife Suzanne "Sue", a sister Jeanette St.Yves, and her husband Arthur, sister-in-law Pauline Melanson and brother-in-law Gerard Lange, along with many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, brother Robert Melanson, infant triplet brothers and sisters Doris Mangiacotti and Beverly Lange.
He started his professional career while still attending Leominster High School at Standard Tool & Die in the first apprentice program. He continued at Digital Equipment Corporation for 14 years, primarily as draftsman, and then manager of the drafting department. After leaving Digital, Roger switched his career to education. He taught drafting at Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School. He left Assabet in 1984 as the Director of Continuing Education to be the Director of the Leominster Center for Technical Education. At CTE Roger was responsible for implementing many new programs. He retired as Director of CTE in 1999.
Roger graduated from Leominster High School in 1953. He earned his B.S. in Education and Masters in Vocational Education at Fitchburg State College with advanced studies at UMASS Amherst.
In retirement Roger was president of New England Wood Carvers for the past 7 years. He was responsible for coordinating the yearly Spirit of Wood Show. In addition to wood carving Roger enjoyed working on his house; spending time with his family and traveling (he recently fulfilled his dream to visit Alaska).
Roger served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1956 to 1962.
Funeral Information
The funeral will be held from the Wright-Roy Funeral Home 109 West St in Leominster on Tuesday January 17, 2012 with a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church 809 Main St Lancaster. Burial will follow at Saint John's cemetery, Lancaster, Ma.. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, January 16, 2012 from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 pm. in the funeral home. .
Donations Information
In lieu of flowers please send donations in Roger’s memory to New England Woodcarvers, Inc. c/o Jerald Grimes/Treasurer 39 Wellington Road Templeton, MA 01468 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 60 Walnut Street Wellesley , MA 02481.
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