Roland V. Drapeau

HOLYOKE

Roland V. Drapeau, 81, went to his eternal rest on April 27, 2020 at the Soldiers’ Home Unit at Holyoke Medical Center. He was born in Holyoke on April 21, 1939 to the late Alfred and Aurore (Fortier) Drapeau. He lived most of his life in Holyoke and was educated at Immaculate Conception School and Holyoke Trade School. Roland was predeceased by his parents, his wife Nancy (Higgins) Drapeau, and seven siblings: Normand, Roger, Donald, and Alfred Drapeau, Marguerite Kranichuck, Anne Dupont, and Claire Lariviere. Roland is survived by his three step-daughters Joanne, Suzanne, and Kathleen, their spouses and their children. He is also survived by two brothers, Robert, who was his advocate, and Bob’s wife Arlene, and Gerard Drapeau; two sisters Jeanne Fournier and her husband Ronald, and Marie Flynn; two sisters-in-law Beverly Drapeau and Barbara Drapeau, as well as many nieces and nephews. Roland served his country by serving three years in the United States Air Force. He worked for many years at Hamilton Standard in Connecticut. After he retired from there he worked for the Council on Aging in Holyoke. He was a Red Sox and N.Y. Giants fan, but his first love in sports was the hockey teams in Springfield. He started going to their games when they were the Indians. Roland’s family would like to thank all the members of the Staff at the Soldiers’ Home for the excellent care they gave him. He made many friends there, both fellow residents and staff-the Superintendent Bennett Walsh called him the “King of one liners.” The family would also like to thank the staff in the Soldiers’ Home Unit at the Holyoke Medical Center for the care they gave Roland, especially Kyle for going above and beyond his duties to help Roland. His brother Bob is also very appreciative for all the assistance he received from Sandra Lussier from Soldier On in handling Roland’s affairs.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Roland on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke. Burial will be private. Memorial donations may be made in Roland’s memory to the Friends of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or to Soldier On, 425 North Main Street, Leeds, MA 01053. Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home assisted the Drapeau family.

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