LOWELL- Roland J. Soucy, Sr., 92 years old, a resident of Lowell and Chelmsford, died peacefully with family at his side, on Monday, May 7th, at D’Youville Senior Care, in Lowell. He is survived by his wife of 28 years Germaine (Houle) (Lambert) Soucy.
He was the born in Lowell, a son of the late Ernest and Cora (Dion) Soucy, and was educated in Lowell Schools.
In his early 20’s, he owned and operated Modern Radio and Battery Service on Merrimack Street, in Lowell. He then worked in sales and service for Bon Marche, Beaudry & Monette and Gaumont Bros. During World War II, he served as head electrician for the police and fire department telephone system at the Boston Naval Shipyard. He returned to Gaumont Bros. in 1945, until accepting a sales position with a Boston distributing firm. In 1953, Roland and his first wife Helen, opened a television and appliance store in Chelmsford Center, then relocated to downtown Lowell in 1958. He retired as president and treasurer of the corporation in 1979, but continued working every day until sudden blindness in August of 1998 forced a halt to his involvement in many activities.
He was past president of St. Rita’s Holy Name Society and past president of the Lord Manor Tenant Council. He was an avid Red Sox radio fan and had a favorite group of talk radio host he enjoyed.
Surviving him besides his wife are two sons and a daughter-in-law: Roland Soucy, Jr., of Franklin, NC; and Gerald and Eileen (Sullivan) Soucy, of Dracut; one step-son and two step-daughters, and their spouses: Claude and Therese (Vincent) Lambert, of Chicopee; Gabriel (Lambert) Foss, of Dracut; and Robert and Jeanne (Lambert) Higgins, of Methuen; ten grandchildren: Karen Weiler, Debra Bradley, Michael Soucy, Michelle Sainola, Lisa Hannan, Scott Soucy, Stephen Soucy, David Soucy, Mark Soucy, and Pamela Hamel; also fifteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; six step-grandchildren: Stephanie Foss, Bryan Foss, Holly Foss, Melissa Higgins, Stephen Lambert, and Matthew Higgins.
He is also survived by a sister-in-law: Catherine Hackett, of Lowell; a brother-in-law: Rev. Andre L. Houle, OMI, of Tewksbury; a niece: Catherine Cutter, of Hollis, NH; a nephew: George Hackett, of Pelham, NH; and an exceptionally close cousin and work associate: Carol Ann Nangle, of Lowell.
He was pre-deceased by his first wife Helen T. (White) Soucy, a brother-in-law: George Hackett; a daughter-in-law: Maxine (McDonald) Soucy, and his step-son-in-law: Harvey C. Foss.
Friends may call from 3 to 7 PM on Sunday, May 13th, at the MAHONEY FUNERAL HOME, 187 Nesmith Street, (Rte. 38). His Funeral Mass to be offered on Monday, May 14th, at 10 AM at ST. RITA’S CHURCH, Lowell. Cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: D’Youville Foundation; P.O. Box 8828; Lowell, MA 01853.