Roland E. Noel Obituary

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and brother

NAPLES, Fla. — Roland E. Noel, 77, beloved father, grandfather, uncle, brother and devoted husband of 55 years to Margaret “Peggy” (Thompson) Noel, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, April 7, 2015.

Roland, a resident of Morris, Conn., and Naples Fla., was an owner of Docktor Pet Centers and Noah’s Gift Stores prior to his retirement. Born in Whitinsville, Mass., on June 26, 1937, and raised in Northbridge, Mass., Roland was a son of the late Joseph and Marie (St. Martin) Noel and the brother of Dr. Roger Noel.

Roland graduated from Assumption Preparatory High School and Providence College, Class of 1959, with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He proudly served in the United States Army. His early start in business was with Harr Ford before beginning his entrepreneurial days as a franchisee with Docktor Pet Centers in 1969 and founding Noah’s Gift stores in 1980.

Roland was an avid golfer, shooting mid to low eighties right up to his passing. He donated his time and treasure to organizations such as St. John of the Cross Church and Easter Seals. Roland loved to laugh, with one of his bigger jokes being the “pre-burial” party he threw for himself on his 75th birthday. He enjoyed life to the fullest (3 drops and a cherry) and lived it on his own terms.

Roland is survived by his three loving sons, Peter and his wife, Lucia, of Middlebury; Philip and his wife, Michelle, of Cheshire; and Bill and his wife, Laura, of Hudson, Mass. He also leaves behind his brother, Roger, and wife Margaret of Fairfax, Va., and seven grandchildren: Sara, Mike, Niki, Katie, Becky, Zack, and Joe; four nieces and nephews, and Susie, the zooming 8-pound Havanese dog.

A funeral Mass with the cremains present will be held Saturday, April 18, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. at St. John of The Cross Church in Middlebury. Friends and family are asked to meet directly at the church. Calling hours will be Friday, April 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home at 430 Chase Parkway in Waterbury.

Donations in Roland’s memory may be made to St John of the Cross Church, 1321 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, CT 0676

For more information or to send e-condolences, visit www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com.