Rolland Blanchette

Rolland H. Blanchette, 92, of Pawtucket, passed away peacefully at home, Saturday, June 06, 2015. He was the husband of Alice (Bouley) McCarthy Blanchette. He was also the husband of the late Irene (Luttrell) Blanchette. Born in Central Falls, he was the son of the late Irenee and Yvonne (Laperche) Blanchette.
Mr. Blanchette graduated from Bryant College in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, and was an Army Air Force veteran of World War II. During World War II, 1st Lieutenant Rolland Blanchette was assigned to B-29 missions in the Pacific, serving as lead bombardier on 32 missions over Japan. His heroic actions earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross three times and the Air Medal five times.
After the war, Rolland became a self-employed public accountant, and he ran a very successful insurance business. He worked 60 years, retiring at the age of 91 in 2014.
He was Councilman-At-Large on the Pawtucket City Council for 18 years, from 1954, and was president of the council for 10 of those years. Rolland had served as secretary of the Republican State Central Committee, and ran for Secretary of State in 1960 and, at the urging of the then governor John H. Chafee, for U.S. Congress in 1964.
He served on numerous boards, including the Navigant Credit Union, formerly Credit Union Central Falls, Pawtucket Soup Kitchen, and Gateway Mental Health. He was very active in his church parish, Saint Teresa's of Pawtucket, where he was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council, and he served as Treasurer of the parish for many years. He was a life member of the LeFoyer Club, Pawtucket and was a member and Treasurer of the former To Kalon Club of Pawtucket.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Joan Dunn of Pawtucket, Stephen Blanchette of Seekonk, MA, Teresa Lamonde of Pawtucket, Joseph Blanchette of N. Scituate, Mary Dingley of Smithfield, Michael Blanchette, of N. Reading, MA, and his stepson, John McCarthy of S. Carolina, 14 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. He was the father of the late Thomas and Vincent Blanchette. He is also survived by his brother Leo Blanchette of Florida and his sister Rita Gariepy of Pawtucket. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday at 10am in Saint Teresa Church, 358 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pawtucket Soup Kitchen.