Roland G. Ravenelle, 92, of Nashua, passed away Wednesday evening, January 2, 2019, after a period of declining health.
Born in Nashua on April 3, 1926, he was a son of the late Nashua City Clerk Irenee and Antoinette (Burque) Ravenelle. Roland attended the Brothers of the Sacred Heart School and graduated from Nashua High School in 1944. He entered the U.S. Army in September 1944 and served in the 30th Division and fought in Germany, France and Belgium during World War II. Upon his discharge, in 1946, he went to watchmaking school in Boston, MA and was employed as a watchmaker by Burque Jewelers of Nashua for his adult life. Roland also took a camera repair course in New Haven, CT, and owned his own business, Ideal Camera Service.
Roland married Janile (Phaneuf) on May 30th, 1949. In addition to his wife of 69 years; he is also survived by two daughters and their husbands, Diane and James Falls of Salem, NH and Judith and James Seager of Hampton, NH; two sons, Daniel “David” Ravenelle of Kansas City, MO and Charles Ravenelle and his wife Jeanine of Pleasant Valley, NY; four grandchildren, Alison and her husband Michael Golosovker and Charles and his wife Samantha Goulet all of Nashua, Jocelyn Seager of Portsmouth, NH and Alex Ravenelle of Pleasant Valley, NY; seven great-grandchildren, Savannah, Arndrea, Gena, Julie, Jaydyn, Laura and Everly; two sisters-in-law, Magella “Midge” Ravenelle of Nashua and Eleanor Phaneuf of Hudson, NH; also many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Roland was predeceased by his brother, Leo A. Ravenelle of Nashua; a grandson, Christopher Cournoyer of Westford, MA; three sisters-in-law and their husbands, Albertine and William Wicher, Claire and Ralph Boucher, and Constance and Lt. Colonel Laval Tremblay; a brother-in-law and his wife, Albert S. and Pauline Phaneuf.
Roland thoroughly enjoyed several Boston area professional sports teams including the Red Sox and the Patriots. He enjoyed following the stock market and investing and keeping up with financial news. It gave him great pleasure to play golf with his brother, Leo, and his cousin, Bob Burque, and his best friend, Bill Dobens, for a number of years. Roland liked visiting beaches in New Hampshire and Maine and eating lobster. He and his wife Janile, traveled in the US and Europe, including Paris, which was his favorite. They spent some winter months in Florida. His Roman Catholic faith comforted him and was his moral compass. Roland’s family and friends will miss his smile and agreeable nature.
There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Parish of the Resurrection, 449 Broad Street, Nashua, Wednesday morning, January 9th at 11 o’clock. Friends are invited to attend. Interment will take place at a later date. Donations may be made in Roland’s name to the Parish of the Resurrection, 449 Broad Street, Nashua, NH 03063.
Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
