DUDLEY - Roger T. Gelineau, 84, died, Wednesday, September 29, 2021 in the Rose Monahan Hospice Home, Worcester after suffering a stroke weeks earlier.
He leaves his wife and love of his life of 61 years, Dorothy E. (Gardner) Gelineau; their 3 children, Cheryl Gelineau Kingston and her husband John, Jr. of Charlton, Donna M. Healy and her husband Paul, and Kevin R. Gelineau and his wife Tara, all of Webster; 8 grandchildren, Amanda Bonin and her husband Jason, Michael Hession, Rachael Kingston, Chelsea Zonia and her husband Darren Rice, John Kingston, III and his wife Lauren Hall, Benjamin, Evan and Emily Gelineau; 4 great-grandchildren, Isabella, Aubri, Sophia and Connor; a brother, Thomas Gelineau and his wife Donna of Dudley; a sister, Nancy Sutcliffe and her husband Ken of East Freetown. He was preceded in death by his brother Armand J. Gelineau, Jr. and by his sister Dorothy Kerouack.
He was a lifelong resident of Dudley, born on August 22, 1937, a son of Armand J. Gelineau, Sr. and Bernice (Grzyb) Gelineau.
Roger or Pepe to his family was the epitome of husband, dad, grandfather, brother. His immediate and extended family were his world and he dedicated himself to them. He made it a point to be a part of the life of every member of his family. He never missed a sporting event or dance recital, family trip or golf outing (miniature or other) and he was great at initiating game night or a trip for ice cream. He would pop in wherever they were at just to spend time with those he loved. His siblings were his closest friends and they got together often to share a meal, a game of cards and lots of laughs. He had a big heart and had a knack for making others feel special with his bright smile, jovial manner and his incessant joking around.
Never one to shy away from work, Roger started at age 16 as a rougher for the former B&W Footwear in Webster to help his parents financially. He worked there for 40 years and concurrently worked as a chimney sweep, mowed lawns and shoveled snow by hand for many Dudley and Webster residents. After 40 years in the factory, he was self-employed as a lawn care professional under the name of Roger Gelineau Lawn Care retiring only last December at the age of 83 passing the business on to his grandson.
Roger enjoyed playing golf with family members and friends and played football into his 50’s. He loved football and followed local high school, college teams and of course the Patriots. He was once considered an honorary coach on the bench at Shepherd Hill Regional High School. He was also an avid card player and belonged to the PNA Pitch League for a time. He enjoyed his breakfasts at the East Main Café with all the regulars. His greatest treasure though was the time he spent with his family.
His funeral will be held Saturday, October 9, at 10:30 am at Saint Joseph Church, 10 H Putnam Road Ext, Charlton. Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the church as well on Thursday, October 7. Donations in his name may be made to the Shepherd Hill Regional High School Athletic Department, 68 Dudley-Oxford Road, Dudley, MA 01571. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster.