Roger W. Parland

Roger W. Parland

Greenfield, MA - Roger W. Parland died peacefully with family by his side on December 30, 2025. He lived a full and rich life and will be especially remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandpa and uncle.

Roger was born December 18, 1927 in Fond du Lac Wisconsin to John William and Mary Ellen (nee Zeigler) Parland. At a young age the family moved to St. Joseph MO where Roger spent his life until entering the Army in 1947. Roger was honored to have served as a member of the Army band in Germany playing clarinet. Following his discharge he completed his college at The University of Kansas where he became a lifelong supporter of the Jayhawks. In 1951 Roger married Lois Marie Fitzjarrell who he had met at a church choir picnic. They continued singing in church & community choirs throughout their lives.

Roger was a mechanical engineer working for the Bettis division of Westinghouse where he spent 39 years, first in Idaho Falls, Idaho and then in Pittsburgh (West Mifflin) PA. Roger was active in the Pleasant Hills Presbyterian Church serving as a deacon and elder; in retirement he served 4,000 hours as a volunteer at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. In 2019 Roger moved to Greenfield MA to be closer to family and sang for several years with the choir at Trinity Church in Shelburne Falls.

Roger is predeceased by his parents, his wife Lois (2017), son William "Bill" Keith (2024). He is survived by his daughters Karen Coale and her husband Charlie of Dover DE, Julie Bailey of Shelburne Falls, Nancy Parland and her husband Steve Howland of Buckland, daughter-in-law Cindy Parland of Parma OH; grandchildren, Marie Coale, Becky Parland, Katie Parland (Kelly Gallagher), Melissa Parland (Liz Sablotny), Wynter Howland (Emily), Shelby Howland (Donovan Drummey), five great-grandchildren and many nieces & nephews. Despite being an only child, he was welcomed into the large Fitzjarrell family as a much loved in-law and Uncle.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Arbors, Charlene Manor, and Pioneer Valley Hospice. There will be a Celebration of Life held at Trinity Church, 17 Severance Street, Shelburne Falls, MA on January 10, 2026 at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Trinity Church trinityshelburnefalls.org or The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum sftm.org