ROLAND J. BENOIT

Roland Joseph Benoit, 92, of Fitchburg, MA, died after a long illness, on Mar. 25, 2011 in Golden Living Center in Fitchburg.

Mr. Benoit was born Feb. 2, 1919, in Fitchburg to Isidore and Blanche (Pinard) Benoit. He attended St. Bernard’s High School and continued his education at Becker College in Worcester. Mr. Benoit served in the Army Air Corps in World War II. He began his career in retail furniture at Lemay Furniture Co. in Cleghorn, managed Fluet Furniture Co. in Fitchburg and was the proprietor of Benoit Furniture Co. in Leominster for 22 years.

Mr. Benoit is survived by his wife, of 68 years, Lorraine A. (Gariepy) Benoit, daughters Lynn M. (LeClair) High of Lorton, VA, and Anne M. Chapdelaine of Leominster; sons Claude L. Benoit of Littleton, Daniel A. Benoit of Leominster and Pastor Mark A. Benoit of Framingham; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren; one brother, Paul J. Benoit of Leominster, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son David G. Benoit and his brother Raymond J. Benoit.

Mr. Benoit was a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion, volunteered at Loaves and Fishes and Our Father’s Table, and was a member of St. Cecilia’s Prayer Group. He was also a member of the Third Order of the Carmelites.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 from the Wright-Roy Funeral Home, 109 West St., Leominster, with a funeral mass at 12:30 p.m. in St. Cecilia’s Church, 168 Mechanic St., Leominster. A calling hour will be held Tuesday morning from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Burial with Military Honors will be on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton, MA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Cecilia’s Restoration Fund, 168 Mechanic St., Leominster, MA 01453 or Hospice of Fitchburg, 1199 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg, MA 01420.