Hampton, NH – J. Roland Fredette, 80, long time resident of Lawrence, died Tuesday, April 26th at his home in Hampton, NH surrounded by his loving family, after a long battle with cancer.
Born in Lawrence, Roland was the son of Eddy and Anne Marie (Robidoux) Fredette, and was a graduate of Central Catholic High School.
During the Korean conflict, Roland served his country in the U.S.C.G. before being honorably discharged.
Mr. Fredette was a graduate of NEI in Boston, New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences School of Funeral Service and Embalming. A longtime Funeral Director, Roland served many families in the Greater Lawrence area and later went on to retire as a Building Inspector in Lawrence.
Prior to its closing Mr. Fredette was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in South Lawrence and former chairman of the Sacred Heart Parish Council. He was active in the Cursillo movement at Saint Basil’s in Methuen for many years. Roland was also a Faithful Navigator with the Father O’Donnell Assembly 4th degree Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his wife and best friend of 58 years Aline L. (Bilodeau) Fredette, one daughter Cathy Ann and her husband Joseph McSweeney, grandchildren; Joseph, Matthew, Ryan, and Megan McSweeney all of California, two sisters Louise McDonough of Southborough, MA and Evelyn and her husband Vincent Trum of Topsfield, MA and many nieces and nephews.
Roland was affectionately known to his grandchildren as Poppy, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Friday, April 29th from 4-8 P.M. at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, Inc. 233 Lawrence Street in Methuen. A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish/ Saint Theresa Church in Methuen and entombment will take place at a later date in Saint Mary-Immaculate Conception Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905 or to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute 44 Binney St, Boston, MA 02115.