Roger L. Roussell passed on April 1, 2024. He is the husband of Carol J. (Ross) Roussell and son of Thomas J. And Juliet (Duchemin) Roussell. Roger was born on October 11, 1930 in Fall River, MA and was a resident of Tiverton for many years. He retired from EUA Service Corporation, an affiliate of Montaup Electric Co. Roger attended schools in Fall River and Assonet graduating from B.M.C. Durfee High School class of 1948 where he was a member of the 1947 football team that captured the Eastern Massachusetts State Championship. The team was inducted into the Durfee Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.
During WWII, he was an Aircraft Warning Observer manning the observation post in Assonet, MA. Also, during this period, he was active in collecting rubber, metal, and aluminum scrap along with the foil used in cigarette packaging. These were used in producing items for war material production after appropriate processing. He was employed by the J. O’Neill Supply Co until his enlistment in the USMC in 1951 and was discharged in 1954 after serving aboard the USS Oriskany and the USS Midway. He later served in the Korean War with the 1st Marine Division where his unit demonstrated that the helicopter was destined to have a unique place in logistical support of combat Marines. Finally, he participated in the POW Exchange after the cessation of hostilities.
In 1959 Roger was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University, and then in 1968 received an MBA from the University of Rhode Island. For several years he had served as a member and Moderator of the Stone Bridge Fire District and the Tiverton Lions Club. Roger was very active in the B.M.C. Durfee High School Alumni Association and was a member of the Save the Bells Committee.
Roger and Carol celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in 2024. They have three sons: Roger Roussell, Jr. of Little Compton, RI and his wife Mary; Peter Roussell of St. Augustine, FL and his wife Kerri; and Paul Roussell of Providence, RI. His six grandchildren are: Jesse Levesque, Mika Martin, Nicole Mineau, Brian Roussell, Corrie Martin, and Tara Roussell. He has 4 great grandchildren: Kane, Mason, Mariah, and Violet.
Roger was preceded in death by his sisters Constance A. Kramer of Fort Pierce, FL and Lucille R. Hadley of Fall River, MA as well as his brother Thomas J. Roussell of Assonet, MA.
Mass of Christian Burial to which relatives and friends are invited will be Thursday, April 11, 2024 at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Little Compton at 10:00 A.M.
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the Potter Funeral Home.
Interment is at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth, RI.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: RI Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Ave., Bristol, RI 02809.