Roland Lucien Picher

Roland L. Picher 1921 ~ 2007   Chicopee Falls- Roland Lucien Picher, 85, a resident of    Loomis House Nursing Center, Holyoke, for over two years, and formerly of Hearthstone Terrace, Chicopee Falls, Ascended into the Journey of Everlasting Life, Friday September 21, 2007 at the Holyoke Medical Center in the care of his devoted family. Born in Biddeford, Maine on November 23, 1921 he was a son of the late Ludger and Edwidge (Hanna) Picher. While living in Maine, Roland was employed as a welder; assembling Liberty Ships for the World War II effort. With true patriotism, Roland proudly enlisted and served his country in the Army Air Corp., during World War II as B-24 Waist Gunner; serving in the 15th Air Force, 47th Wing, 449th Bomb Group, and the 719th Squadron.  He was awarded many commendations for his unselfish and heroic actions, most notably the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Theater Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. While on air patrol duty Roland survived a crash landing over Italy. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Following World War II, he became a resident of Chicopee Falls, where he and his wife, Lucille, built their own home. Roland was employed by Savage Arms, Chicopee Falls; then went on to work for the U.S. Postal System, as a letter carrier, also, Chicopee Falls. His primary route being Sheridan Circle. He retired after 28 years. Roland was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers, and for a time, held the office of Vice President. He will be remembered as a very special, caring, and self-less man, a people person. He enjoyed the outdoors, puttering, fixing, building. He worked in his garden, only to share the harvest. He and his wife volunteered their time to the Greater Springfield Association of the Blind. (G.S.A.B.) He had a love for classical music. Roland enjoyed most sports, such as hockey and football and was an avid Red Sox Fan.  Religious all his life, Roland was a communicant of St. George Church, Chicopee Falls. The love he gave was returned to him. For during his stay at Loomis House Nursing Center, he was visited almost daily by his extended family. In particular, Roland had the good fortune to be under the special care of his nephew, Mark A. Bigda, D.O. It is with gratitude, which Roland's family wishes to thank the entire staff of Loomis House Nursing Center for their compassionate care. He was predeceased on July 31, 1997, by his beloved wife of 51 years, Lucille (Lemelin) Picher. Two brothers, Norman Picher and Raymond Picher; 3 sisters, Theresa Buffum, Pauline Picher, Jeannette Chamberlain also preceded him. He is survived by a loving daughter, Jeanne Pasierb and her husband, Tom 2 cherished sisters, Lillian Smythe of Florida, Lorraine West of Maine; 2 special grandchildren, Michael Pasierb of Sanford, Maine and Mark Pasierb of Waltham, Mass.many caring nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday 9:30 AM from Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway, Chicopee Falls, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 AM in St. George Church.  Burial will follow with military honor in St. Rose de Lima Cemetery all in Chicopee. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Heart Assoc. , 1111 Elm St., Suite 9 A. , West Springfield, Ma. 01089 or to Loomis House Nursing Center, 298 Jarvis Ave., Holyoke, Ma. 01040.