Roland J. LaCroix

Bennington – Roland J. LaCroix, age 80, a resident of Bradford Street in Bennington, VT, died on Sunday, May 16, 2010, at home surrounded by his family.
Born in Bennington on December 20, 1929, he was the son of Paul and Evelyn LaCroix. He received his education at St. Francis de Sales Academy in Bennington and graduated from the former Bennington High School.
Roland enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1948. He completed training at the Air Training Command in Chanute Air Force Base, IL, and Walker Air Force Base in New Mexico, specializing as a B-29 aircraft mechanic. He served the 393rd Bombardment Squadron of the Strategic Air Command and was discharged in 1952 as a crew chief Staff Sergeant in the United State Air Force.
Roland married Margaret (Maggie) Gleason on July 11, 1953, at St. Francis de Sales Church in Bennington.
He was employed as a roofer at Vermont Roofing Company for six years, later he was employed as an equipment machinist for Globe Union/Johnson Controls, retiring after 26 years. A devout Catholic, Roland donated his skills and time during the renovations and merger of Sacred Heart S. Francis de Sales Church. He was a 4th Degree Life Honorary Member of the Knights of Columbus. Roland was also an Honorary Member of the American Legion Post #13.  Roland had a magnificent vegetable garden which he shared with family and friends. He also enjoyed spending time with his boys and nephew, deer hunting at their family camp in Woodford, VT. He was an avid fisherman and spent many weekends with his wife on Lake Champlain. Roland and Maggie also enjoyed several trips throughout the years to California, Florida, Las Vegas and British Columbia, visiting family and friends.
He leaves six children – five sons, John and wife Cindy from Lantana, FL, Joseph and wife Gloria from Bennington, James and wife Becki from Saugus, CA, Jeffrey and wife Laura from Hollis, NH, and Andre and wife Kathleen from Loxahatchee, FL, and one daughter, Mary Margaret (Peg) Caron and husband Daniel of White Creek, NY. Roland has six grandchildren, Preston and wife Rebecca LaCroix, Christopher LaCroix,  Amy LaCroix  and Roland  LaCroix and fiancé Ginger and Margaret Caron and fiancé Mike and Hannah Caron, as well as one step-granddaughter, Sara, and a great-step-granddaughter, Paige. He leaves two sisters, Pauline White and husband Roger of Bennington and Jacqueline Connell and husband John of Vancouver, BC, and one brother, Francis (Red) LaCroix of Bennington, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Prayer service was held on Thursday afternoon,  May 20, at the Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St, Bennington, at 1:30 pm followed by a Mass of Christian Death and Burial at Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Church at 2 pm. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Village Cemetery on Morgan Street in Bennington with full military honors.
Friends called at the Mahar and Son Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5 to 8 pm. The members of the American Legion Post met at the funeral home at 6:30 pm Wednesday to conduct their services. Members of the Knight of Columbus 4th Degree Honor Guard met at the funeral home at 5 pm.
Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart School or the Bennington Rescue Squad through the Mahar and Son Funeral Home.
Guestbook condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net.