Roland Wilfrid Belanger Sr.

ROLAND "DOC" WILFRID BELANGER, SR.

Roland Wilfrid Belanger, Sr., passed away at his home in Lovelock, Nevada, on April 9th, 2011. Doc, as he was affectionately known, was born to Amed?e Eudore B?langer, a native of Quebec, Canada, a practicing dentist in Eureka, Nevada, and Pearl McNaughton, a native of Ruby Hill, Nevada, a school teacher in Eureka, Nevada, on October 3, 1925, in Eureka, Nevada. Doc's father immigrated to the United States in early 1920s. Doc's father and step-mother, Alice Germain, also a native of Quebec, Canada, became naturalized American citizens and registered democrats.

On December 29, 1949, Doc married Lucille Krocak at St. John's Catholic Church, Lovelock, Nevada. Born to their marriage were 4 children: Roland Jr., Guy, Gregory and Joseph. Lucille passed away on April 30, 1998, and is buried next to Doc's father at Lone Mountain Cemetery, Lovelock, Nevada.

On November 20, 1999, Doc married Alvena Mae Kemp at St. John's Catholic Church, Lovelock, Nevada. There were no children born. Alvena had 4 children from a previous marriage, Doc's step-children: John, Xenia, Laurie and Daniel. Alvena passed away on April 27, 2009, and is also buried at Lone Mountain Cemetery, Lovelock, Nevada, next to Lucille as they were close friends.

Doc attended Lovelock Grammar School for 8 years, the Pershing County High School for 4 years, wherein he graduated in June, 1943. Doc then attended Santa Clara University, in Santa Clara, California, graduating in 1949. Doc attended law school at Georgetown University Law School, Washington, D.C., graduating with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1954. In October, 1943, Doc's education was put on hold as he served his Country during World War II. Doc's military service was with the U.S. Navy, stationed in Guam and Pearl Harbor. Doc was honorably discharged as a Seaman First Class, V6 USNR, in May, 1946. Doc began practicing law in 1954.

During his High School days, he was elected Student Body President for Pershing County High School for 4 consecutive terms. He was also a member of the FFA and the Wa Pung a Haben Chapter, Lovelock, Nevada.

Doc's professional career included 20 years as the Pershing County District Attorney, where he served as the President of the Nevada State District Attorney's Association. He was a member of the Washoe County Bar Association for over 40 years. Following his terms as District Attorney, he spent many years in private practice with partners such as the Honorable Richard Wagner, Sixth Judicial District Judge, and Todd A. Plimpton, Esq., his partner at the time of his death.

Early in his career as District Attorney Doc was instrumental in acquiring acreage for the Lovelock Baseball Association and for the Pershing County Rodeo Association. Both properties are now owned by Kids, Horses and Rodeo, Inc., a non-profit organization formed by Doc. For 31 years, Doc served as a fireman and ambulance driver for the Lovelock Volunteer Fire Dept. (Olfer's Engine Co.), and was a member of the Lovelock Merchant's Baseball Team for 20 years. In the year John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States in a Democratic landslide, Doc was the Chairman of State Democratic Convention, which was held in Lovelock, Nevada.

Doc was proud to be a Catholic and was baptized in St. Brennan's Catholic Church, in Eureka, Nevada. During his life as a Catholic, he served as an Alter Boy at St. John's Catholic Church, taught Catechism and was the Chairman of St. John's Parish Counsel for 7 years. Doc continued to practice law until his final days, wherein he just finished negotiating a Contract with Pershing County, on behalf of St. John's Catholic Church.

Doc is predeceased by his mother, father, step-mother, his first wife Lucille and his second wife Alvena. He is survived by: his children, Roland Jr. (Penny), Guy (Kelly), Gregory (Lori) and Joseph, and his grandchildren: Arlene, Jessica, Rebecca, Brett, Kristin, Michael, Michelle, Cheri, Chelsea, Joseph Jr., and numerous great-grandchildren, one of which was born on April 11, 2011. Doc is also survived by his brother, Leslie (Virginia) Belanger, and his nephews, Brian and Clyde.

On Friday, April 15th, 2011, at 5:00 p.m., a Rosary will be held at the Lovelock Funeral Home. Services will be held on Saturday, April 16th, 2011, at 10:00 a.m., at St. John's Catholic Church, with internment to follow at the Lone Mountain Cemetery, Lovelock, NV. In lieu of flowers, please make donation to the St. Agnes Alter Society, c/o St. John's Catholic Church, P.O. Box 177, Lovelock, Nevada.