E. J. Roland Normand
September 28, 1944 ~ September 7, 2022
Resided in:
Sanford, Maine
E. J. Roland Normand, 77, of Springvale, passed away September 7, 2022, with his beloved family by his side.
Roland was born in Portland, Maine on September 28, 1944 to Ernest & Sadie (Morin) Normand. He grew up in Sanford where he attended local Catholic schools, graduating from St. Ignatius High School in 1962. Roland went on to complete his Bachelor’s degree at Franklin Pierce College and Master’s degree at the University of Southern Maine.
Following college, he began a teaching career in New Hampshire prior to returning home and continuing to teach elementary school at Notre Dame School. He later went on to teach at Sanford Junior High School and completed his career there as a guidance counselor. During his career at Sanford Junior High School, he met his future wife, Mary-Ellen Reeks. They married in 1975, and together they raised three children and shared 47 blessed years of marriage and love of family.
In 1976, after leaving his career in education, Roland began working for his father-in-law at Walter Reeks Buick-Oldsmobile in Sanford, Maine. He became the dealer principal in 1980 until his retirement in 2008.
Following his retirement, Roland developed a great love for the game of golf. This became a favorite pastime. He was a longtime member of the Sanford Country Club, where he enjoyed regular tee times with the “Bandits”, and other local groups of fellow golfers. Roland was a past or present member of the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, Elks and Lions Club. He was a longtime communicant of Notre Dame Church in Springvale, Maine.
Roland had a great joy for music, dancing, playing guitar, woodworking, Wells Beach and ice cream (Butter Pecan, in particular). He sang and performed in many musicals as a student.
After retirement, he and his wife spent winters at their home in Florida, enjoying the company of wonderful neighbors and special friends they made over the years.
He will be remembered as a devoted, kind, fun loving and patient husband, father, grandpa and friend. His grandchildren held a special place in his heart. He loved sharing and showing off their photos which were always in his wallet or phone.
Roland was predeceased by his parents and sister, Jeanne d’Arc Therrien. He is survived by his loving wife Mary-Ellen of Springvale, three adoring children, Sara-Jane Normand of Sanford, Dr. Jonathan Normand and wife Jennifer of Sanford, Erin R. Therrien and husband Jeffrey of Springvale, four grandchildren, Sophie, Maeve, Finley and Bryce Therrien; a nephew Dale Ashby and several other nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church in Sanford followed by a private burial.
A special acknowledgement and thank you to the team at So. Maine Hospice for their support and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider sending a memorial contribution to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Northern New England Chapter, 114 Perimeter Road, Nashua, NH 03063.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
My condolences to the entire Normand family but a great big hug to my pal, Jon. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. May he Rest In Peace knowing how much he was loved.
Erin & Jeff/Sara Jane/Jon & Jen- I am so so sorry to just be learning of this sad news about your Dad.I’ll always remember the first time I met your parents @ The Elks, they told stories @ the table about all of you growing up-they made me laugh! I’ll never the forget the story that included your Dad, Erin, the plow & garage! Sending lots of love to all. -Carrie Hagan xoxo
My Dad, was the most important man in my life!! He always introduced me as his baby girl..I loved that!! And I’m forever his baby!!
I remember hours of friendship in the Sanford Jr High’s teachers’ room with both Roland and Mary-Ellen during our early teaching years😃
Mary Ellen and family, Ann & I are sorry to hear of Roland’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Jim Lapierre
He was always happy and loved his family very much
Was always positive and always had a smile on his face
To Mary Ellen and the family its beyond words to hear of the passing of Roland. He was a super person to everyone he me met and knew. He will surely be missed but never forgotten as he touched the lives of all of us .God bless you all
Who would expect that cousins could have such an enduring effect on one another in their senior years? Roland had a great heart and generously lavished it on his family, right Mary Ellen?! No one can make an omelette, a Bloody Mary, upholster a valance, find that place to eat, tidy up the house or garage, love a golf game, love life like Roland! Always ready to share the best, he is at rest and gave us his best!
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you. Knowing your family for 35 years it pains me of this loss. Roland was an amazing man. May the memories of him become essences to all of your being. Love you all. Robin Condon, Farmington CT
Our sincere condolences. Roland and I played a lot of golf over the past few years. I will miss the good times we had and his jokes!