Roland J. Perron

LANCASTER - Roland J. Perron was born April 16, 1924 to Marie Alice Potvin and Rudolph Augustas Perron in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He attended grade school through high school in the same city. He went to Colby College in Maine in preparation for flight schools and successfully received his wings passing all requirements. He was ordered to Ladd Air Base, Fairbanks, Alaska flying B-29's on surveillance of the Russian border. Roland was triple-rated as pilot, copilot, and navigator, serving six years in the US Army Air Corps. One of his planes crashed and burned. Despite broken vertebraes he rescued two of his crew mates from the flames. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Oak Leaf Cluster for bravery beyond the call of duty. In addition he took part in an Alaskan survival expedition testing US tents, clothing, dehydrated foods and wilderness sustenance. On January 1 st , 1949 he was ordered to Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, SD. There he met and married Carole Turnquist April 10, 1949. The marriage of 63 ½ years lasted until his death September 7, 2012. Four living children were born in this union. Two sons, Roland Jr. of Lowell, MA, and Christopher of Vallejo, CA; two daughters, Mary Alice Perron of Berkeley, CA and Catherine Murphy of Pelham, NH. Three grandchildren gave Roland much pleasure; Andrew and Lauren Murphy of Pelham, NH and Joanna Perron of Lowell, MA. After resigning from the Air Force Roland tried farming for Carole's father for 3 ½ years. The farm economy led him to return to Massachusetts and he purchased a 39 acre vegetable, flower and tree farm in Lowell, MA. With the help of his wife and children, he endured also working at Raytheon for 25 years as a plating technician. The oldest son, Roland Jr., still manages the Lowell Farm and this farm is the last working farm in the city of Lowell, selling vegetables and Christmas trees. Roland has two surviving sisters; Jacqueline Perron of Nashua, NH and Carolyn Jozokas of Northwood, NH, in addition many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 113 Main Street, Lancaster, NH, at 10:00 AM, Saturday September 22, officiated by Reverend David Taylor. A light luncheon will follow the service. In lieu of flowers for those who wish, memorial donations may be sent to the Outreach Group at St. Paul's Church, 113 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584 or the Dana-Farber Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115.

Roland J. Perron

April 16, 1924 - September 7, 2012