Roland L. Roberts

"South Hadley, Roland "Red" Roberts, 91, died peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, February 20. Red was born in Holyoke on April 13, 1925 and was the son of Louis and Roseanne Roberts. He moved to South Hadley after marrying the love of his life, Joyce G. (Gagne) Roberts, on Valentines Day 1954. He proudly served his country in WWII in the Army Air Force. Upon his return from the war, Red worked as a police officer for 7 years for the City of Springfield while also going back to school to further his education. He obtained his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from AIC and then was employed for 27 years by the City of Springfield as a School Adjustment Counselor, retiring in 1994. In his leisure, Red enjoyed candle pin bowling, a good book and tending to his vegetable gardens. He was a member of the First Congregational Church in South Hadley and for many years was the Superintendent of Sunday School. He will be deeply missed by his wife Joyce and their son Roland "Jay" Roberts along with many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his sisters, Eva Fournier and Rose Paquette. Funeral Services will be on Thursday, February 23 at 11:00 a.m. at Beers and Story South Hadley Funeral Home. Burial will follow with military honors in Evergreen Cemetery. A calling hour from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. will precede the service. Donations in his memory may be made to The First Congregational Church, 1 Church St., or The Gaylord Memorial Library, 47 College St., both in South Hadley, MA 01075."