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Roland Sylvain Obituary
95 of Mesa, Arizona passed away peacefully on November 29, 2010. Roland was born January 15, 1915 in South Berwick, Maine. Roland worked 43 years at First National Stores of New England and resided in Concord, NH until 1984 when he moved to Mesa, AZ. He served 4 years in the Army Signal Corps from 1941-1945, during WWII. Roland is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Clarisse Sylvain, his son Tom Sylvain, his brother Raymond and his wife Phyllis Sylvain, sister Anita and her husband Harold Lord and his brother Bernard. Roland is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Jeanette, his other brother Robert and his wife Teresa Sylvain, his son Mike (Gale) Sylvain, his daughter Teri (Greg) Cannava, and 7 grandchildren, Mariah (Steve) Hayes of Portland, OR., Shauna (Greg) Young of Morrisville, VT, Tessa Sylvain and her fiancé Brad Herley of Renton, WA, Jereme Sylvain of San Diego, CA, Alex Sylvain of Coeur D'alene, ID, Julie (Kevin) Crosby of Colorado Springs, CO, and David Cannava of Colorado Springs, CO. Roland is also survived by his 3 great- grandchildren, Rilee and Avree Hayes and Blaise Crosby. A visitation will be held, Sunday, December 12, 2010 at Melcher Mission Mortuary in Mesa, AZ from 4-6 PM, with a Memorial Mass on Monday, December 13, 2010 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mesa, AZ. Arrangements under the direction of Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery, Chandler, AZ.
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Memories and Condolences
for Roland Sylvain
December 28, 2010
Cliff and I will always treasure our yearly visits with you every January. We have wonderful memories of those wonderful meals and great conversations. Your personalities always made us feel so happy when we were with you. Jeanette we will always remember the pie falling on the floor and Rolands surprise when we ate it. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his piece. Ha
We love your Teri and Greg and are so thankful that because of them we all became lifetime friends. Please accept our condolences and we're so thankful you're going to Teri's Love always Cliff and Pat Johnson (your Merced friends)
Jill Labelle
December 11, 2010
Gowing up in the "concrete jungle", I was always looking forward to the trip to Pembroke Road! The best part of the trip was walking with cousin Roland to the little "house" in the yard where all the cool pigeons, chickens and the crazy rooster, Kruschev, were playing. He was proud of his feathered friends and his vegetable garden. A great soul speaks with nature.......
Bernie Sylvain
December 9, 2010
All of us here in Maine will miss you Uncle Roland! We so enjoyed all of our visits out west when we would stop to visit with you and Aunt Jeannette! The kids still talk about going to visit you in Mesa and in Idaho and how you had the BEST lemons for making lemonade! We always felt very welcomed by you and will cherish the memories. We will miss you but know that you are probably having a wonderful time up in heaven with Tom and the rest of the family, getting ready for Christmas up there!! Now that will be a celebration!!! Merry Christmas and may you watch over all of us with love. Bernie, Carol, Zach & Emily Sylvain
Jeanette, Roland, Tommy, Mike and Teri-2003
December 7, 2010
The Sylvain men
December 7, 2010
Jereme Sylvain
December 7, 2010
Buff, we will always miss you. A true gentleman, one of the last, you were kind and caring and you always gave us the best laughs and smiles. Your one liners, always trying to cut our ladies hair, my personal walking buddy and your watchful eyes were ever present and always made our days and nights. This Holiday will be tough without you, but we know you're up there looking down and sharing it with us. I love you and will miss you. Jereme Sylvain
Harold & Pat Amon
December 5, 2010
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Teri Cannava
December 4, 2010
My dear precious dad,
OK dad, this is my third attempt to write you and it has never posted, so here i go again! This is not easy to write. I love you beyond words. I don't think a girl could have loved her daddy more. You have been the most amazing dad I could have ever hoped for. I don't think you knew it but you were teaching your family about life all the time you lived. You were always such a patient and kind man. Always a kind word about everyone and you never worried about anything. You always said, "It'll be fine!" I know how much God loves me because he gave me you for a father! I was always your little shadow following you everywhere. I only wanted to be where you were. Julie and David have adored you and have the most precious memories of their time with you. There was a time when I could never have imagined life without you but I have a peace now cause I know where you are and you are celebrating with Tom and your brothers and sister. Thank you for the most precious relationship I could have asked for. I am brokenhearted not to see you now, but know we will be together again. I'll love you forever and more. Love your little girl Teri
Greg Cannava
December 4, 2010
My father-in-law was the kindest human being I've ever known. In the 30-plus years I've know him he never once uttered an unkind word about anyone. Always the optimist, the quiet peace maker, and the giver of wit and wisdom, he had a presence and influence that endures in his entire extended family. I have loved the influence he has had on Julie and David. They loved him dearly. I have loved seeing the love he and Teri shared. He has become a pert of her and the heritage that is pasted down to generations. I have loved seeing the greatest love story imaginable, which is what we all witnessed every day of his life together with Grammy.
We all will miss Papa terribly but I see that his goodness lives on in all who knew and loved him. And I am grateful to have loved him and had him in my life.
Lori Labelle
December 4, 2010
Wish we could be there with you all to celebrate Uncle Roland's life, for a grand one it was. Maybe not in financial riches, or material ones, but, more in the ones that really matter, Uncle Roland was abundant. His gentle manner, love, loyalty, and dedication, spoke volumes above anything he could physically provide for his family. His legacy will be in the gift he was. When we look at Mike or Teri and in a still moment, see his face in theirs,or in their mannerisms or words and in those of the grandchildren, his presence will be felt. His legacy will live on in the reflection of love you share with each other, in much the same way he shared with you.
Aunt Jeanette, what a gift ot time you had with your beloved, and I know that it is never enough. Teri and Mike, too, what a gift to have had your father with you so long as to see the lives you have made for yourselves and your families. He will be watching over you all now in a different way but loving you still quietly,generously, and I am sure, with a laugh in there somewhere from that dry wit. I always hesitated a moment before laughing, I was never sure if he was serious or not.
Bless your heart, I love you Uncle Roland. You are welcome to visit anytime( wink). Now you know.
Chris & Beverly Amon
December 4, 2010
You'll be missed, but never forgotten. We like to think that you were promoted to being an Angel.
Andy & Karen Stimer
December 3, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We got to know Roland when he and Jeanette would come to visit the Cannavas in Colorado Springs. Greg & Teri were our next-door neighbors; and yes, we did buy grapefruit from Julie and David out of their wagon...many times! They were always better than from the store, too! We're so sorry for your loss. It's apparent how much you all loved him, what a wonderful man he was, and how much he will be missed. May God grant you His grace and comfort. We will be thinking of you and praying for you much in the days ahead.
Teri Cannava
December 3, 2010
My precious dad,
I did this earlier but it didn't work so here I go. There truly are not enough words to share how much I love you. You have always meant more to me than I can ever express. I feel like God created the best father and then gave him to me. I would always stick to you like glue growing up, You were my hero! You taught me so much about love and patience. You were always interested in everything I did. There was a time when I could never imagine my life without you but I am at peace cause I know where you are and you are having a joyous reunion with Tom and all your sweet siblings. I love you more than I could ever say, You will always be my sunshine. Your little girl, Teri
P.S. Remember, I'm the one who talks too much and too fast! I know you"re in heaven reading and enjoying these.
Doni (McGee) Labelle
December 3, 2010
Dear Uncle Roland,
I wished I told you this but just never had the fortitude nor the real opportunity. I spent most of my childhood with no mother and no father. Memere was great and provided me with all of the love and nurturing I needed and showed me the way to nurture others. I would come to your house and would just bask in the family setting. You never knew it but when I would come to spend time at your house, I would sit in a chair and fight back the tears because I wanted so, so much to be part of a real family. You made it so comfortable and you treated me like one of your own family. I looked at you and Aunt Jeanette as my surrogate Mom and Dad.
When I was done high school and was heading for the Army – I remember telling you I was going to be a medic. This was at the height of the Viet nam war and you said something very simple yet very direct and I have followed that advice throughout my entire 6 decades of life. You looked me right in the eye and told me to “don’t forget to keep your head down and make it home in one piece.” I did come home as I did keep my head down.
I remember you as a man of very few words. I remember singing Gene Autry songs to you on the porch swing at Memere’s. You would have a smile on your face as I was singing and made me think that I was darn good “warbler”
You are with Tommy now and are not alone. You have your parents, your siblings and oh so many friends to catch up with. You and Tommy had best start putting in some good words for me. I think I am definitely going to need some “insider” help to make it to where you and Tommy are.
You are going to be missed Uncle Roland but oh so well remembered. Your role as son, brother, friend, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all taken seriously and you thrived on the love of your friends and family. You did oh so well in raising Tommy, Michael and Terri and they all grew up to be great people who have accomplished a lot. Again, due to your guidance.
Now you have all the answers. You have met “the man” and have rekindled relationships with all of those who passed before you. Say hi for me to my Dad if you see him.
You are loved, Uncle Roland and will be horribly missed.
Congratulations on a great life.
McGee
David & Valerie Dutcher
December 3, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this time of sorrow. We are friends of your late son, Tommy, who we miss soooo much. You are now with him again. Peace and comfort to all.
Valerie is also the great niece to your friends Maurice and Ninnie Gagne of Concord, NH, who send their condolences as well.
Kathie Sylvain
December 3, 2010
My dearest Roland,
You were not only a father in law to me, you were a kind, funny, sweet, loving man who I am so grateful to have known.
I will always remember our talks about life, sitting on your front porch and how you would sometimes pull my hair and then smile, how you would get up from your chair at bed time and say, time to hit the high road, then sing on your way to bed about the rooster and the hen and father Ben. You always had napkins and lifesavers in your pocket. You could swallow all those pills you took everyday at one time with no water!
You were a gentleman and a gentle man always.
I also remember our trip to Colorado to spend Christmas with Teri and her family. How you and I rode most of the way in the back seat of that tightly packed car :) with you and Jeanette telling us stories about your life up until then, the war, your brother Robert, your pigeons, all of us singing songs and so much more. It was a fun adventure.
I am so glad I knew you Roland Sylvain. Until I see you again and also see my dear Tommy as well, I will be talking with you. I hold a place in my heart for you always. I am comforted that you are with Tommy now and at peace. Please give him a big hug for me.
Thank you for sharing your heart, your love and your light with the world.
I will always remember you.
Bless you
Cyndi Labelle
December 3, 2010
Uncle Roland, Although you were actually Doni/McGee's uncle, I considered you my uncle too, at least by marriage! I have such fond memories of visiting you and Aunt Jeanette in Concord for various family gatherings or just when we stopped in to say hello. I always felt welcomed and you always treated me like family. I truly enjoyed our little discussions and how you taught me how to play, and win, at dominoes! Give Tommy a big hug and tell him McGee and Cyndi are taking good care of your daughter-in-law Kathie back here in Vermont/New Hampshire.
Meeting his great grandson, Blaise!
Julie Crosby
December 3, 2010
The best Grammy and Papa ever! xoxo
Julie Crosby
December 3, 2010
Roland, Jeanette, Robert and Teresa, 2004
December 3, 2010
Roland and Jeanette wearing their University of Sylvain t-shirts. 2009
December 3, 2010
Jeanette and Roland AZ 2003 at Tommy and Kathie's wedding
December 3, 2010
Kevin Crosby
December 3, 2010
I feel so blessed to have met and spent time with “Papa”, even though the occasions were too few and far between. I’ve been touched by his kind ways and remarkable sense of humor. To him, I was the “jail bird” he would continuously crack jokes with. I am honored to have had the opportunity to know him and am so thankful for the beautiful family he raised as well as his service to our country. He will be truly missed.
Linda Kilson
December 3, 2010
Uncle Roland:
You will be missed by many. Good memories will keep your memory alive in all of us. I still have the V-mail that you sent me while you were over seas..you thought of me in the midst of the war. That is what you were, thoughtful, kind, loving.
Very special man i'm going to miss
Love you
Special hugs to Tom and my Mom and Dad.
Roland, Jeanette, Priscilla and Gaile, 2004
December 3, 2010
Roland and brother Robert, 2004
December 3, 2010
Roland, Jeanette, Tommy and Kathie, Colorado
December 3, 2010
Dancing Roland in 2004
December 3, 2010
Mariah Hayes
December 3, 2010
"when are you leaving?" "enough with all the kisses!"
sue Gallo
December 2, 2010
I remember the first time we met, I did not talk for hours.Your 25th wedding anniverary party and the poster of dog betting slips - you loved those fast dogs. I do remember Daisy, and the holes in your new pants after a visit to the hen house. Friday lunch(you made yourself) of sardines on saltines. Playing "Dr FRost" for hours, beautiful long carrots from your garden. Hours of playing Pinnocle with Pete and Wanda and of course me too. Moving the big lilac bush to Canterbury. Fresh fruit and veggies from the little stand where you worked and Pat and Harold buying 30 or more pounds of bananas. So many memories.
Roland and Jeanette
Kathie Sylvain
December 2, 2010
Julie Crosby
December 2, 2010
My dear Papa,
Words cannot express how much you mean to me and how much you will be missed. I have countless memories all the way back to when we would play “Sebastian” from Dumbo’s Circus, red swimming trunks, selling grapefruit and lemons in Colorado, telling me to put my heels down, going around on the dance floor, singing, and exchanging “knowing” glances across the dinner table. You are the most kind and gentle person I’ve ever know. I will always remember your quiet strength, quick wit, loving smile, and the way you would wince when I would kiss you on the cheek :). Thank you for being an amazing grandfather and great grandfather. Grammy sure knows how to pick ‘em! I am so thankful you were there through my entire childhood, at my wedding, and recently able to meet my Blaisey. You’ve been an incredible blessing, unlike any other. I love you so much and am comforted to know I’ll see you again some day. Give Uncle Tom a hug for me. Love you so much!
Julie
Mike Sylvain
December 2, 2010
Dad, you were a man of few words, but your actions spoke volumes. Those actions alone taught me my work ethics and the value and importance of family. Thanks for the memories and everything you've done. Give Tom a big hug for me. Love and miss you.
Jeanette Sylvain
December 2, 2010
To my Beloved Honi,You are not alone as you have Tom and the family to keep you company. Save me a place but I'm not in a hurry as I have places to go and people to see. Until we meet again your loving wife Jeanettexoxo
David Cannava
December 2, 2010
Papa was the most outstanding grandfather I could ever have asked for. I have so many great memories of him coming to visit me every year while growing up. He was always kind and gentle. He always played as my partner in games we would play as a family. He will be greatly missed. I love you Papa....
Gaile Labelle
December 1, 2010
Roland was my godfather and I was priviledged to see him every summer for many years. We had such fun watching his homing pigeons and chickens (even though his rooster, Kruschev, attacked my dad once). It was fun visiting the IGA and we really enjoyed when he and Jeanette and their kids came down to our green camp at Lake Mascoma. He was a sweet guy with a slow voice and a droll sense of humor. I was blessed to have know him for so many years.
Gaile Labelle, New York, New York
Hayes
December 1, 2010
Love you great grandpa and miss you says Rilee and Avree Hayes
gale sylvain
December 1, 2010
To my father in law/old boss: You will truly be missed! We were so lucky to have you closeby for so many years. You always had the dignity of a true gentleman and that rubbed off on your children, grandchildren and great children. Thank you sir and good night. Love Gale
Sylvain's 2010
Alex Sylvain
December 1, 2010
I will truly miss my grandpa, "Buff". As far as I can remember back in life Grammy & Buff were there...from the birthdays and holidays to the monthly get-togethers and celebrations. Always calm & collected, always on the watch, and always making sure I wasn't getting in trouble with the sheriff. Fond memories of catching quail, growing and picking beets & citrus, playing games...to his old war stories, watching him dance at weddings and winning when we'd arm wrestle :). A truly genuine grandfather who I and many others are going to deeply miss, but we all know he's overlooking us...and just a call away. I am at peace knowing my Buff is in God's hands with my Uncle Tom...and we will arm wrestle once again when it's my time. Love ya Buff.
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