CHARLTON - Roland A. Lavallee, 96, of the Masonic Home in Charlton and a former longtime resident of Palmer was Called Safely Home on Saturday, October 27, 2012. He passed into Eternal Life at Overlook Masonic Health Care in Charlton surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Spencer on March 23, 1916, a beloved son of the late Adelard and Marie (Bisson) Lavallee. His mother passed away when he was a young child and he was raised and schooled in Spencer by his late father and his step-mother, Ida (Primeau) Lavallee, who was Called Home in 1993. He moved to West Brookfield where he lived for several years before moving to Palmer. He resided in Palmer for many years before moving to the Masonic Home in Charlton on November 28, 2007. Roland was employed as a production printer for over 30 years at Monsanto Chemical Corporation, which is now Solutia in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield, before retiring in 1981. After his retirement, he was employed by several area funeral homes including Beers & Story and Belanger in Palmer and the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Funeral Chapels in Springfield and Chicopee. While living in West Brookfield and Palmer, Roland was a member of their volunteer fire departments. He was a former member of the Palmer Lions Club, the Monsanto Santonians Local 228, the Monsanto 25 Year Club, the Thomas Lodge of Masons A.F. & A.M. in Palmer, the Connecticut Valley Consistory Scottish Rite, the Melha Shrine of Springfield and currently a member of the Rose of Sharon Lodge, A.F. & A. M. in Charlton. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend of 66 years, Evelyn F. (Parker) Lavallee who was Called Home on February 15, 2004. He leaves: his loving daughters, Sandra J. Giard and her husband, Arthur, of Palmer and Linda M. Butcher and her husband, Thomas, of Ludlow; his cherished grandchildren, Susan M. Russian and her husband, Michael, of Naples, ME and Jeffrey J. Butcher of West Springfield; and several dear nephews and nieces. Besides his parents, step-mother and wife, he was also predeceased by his dear brother, Armand E. Lavallee who was Called Home on July 3, 1993. His funeral will be held on Friday morning November 2, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.). His burial will follow the service at Hillcrest Park Cemetery, 895 Parker Street, Springfield, MA 01129. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, November 1, 2012, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a Masonic Evergreen Service in the funeral home at 6:30 p.m. In addition, a Memorial Service will be held in Roland's memory on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel at the Masonic Home, 88 Masonic Home Road, Charlton, MA 01507. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to either the Overlook Masonic Health Care or the Overlook Visiting Nurse and Hospice, both at PO Box 1000, Charlton, MA 01507.