Roger J. Isabelle, 83, died peacefully after a long illness on Saturday, November 10, 2012 in St. Francis Nursing Home in Worcester.
Roger leaves his wife of 54 years, Janet I. (Lamarche) Isabelle; a daughter, Paula L. Prout and her husband David J. Prout of Grafton; his only grandson, Brendon Grabowski of Northbridge; his sister-in-law, Lucille Bailey and her husband William; their family and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was born in 1929, son of Alphonse and Lillian (Leduc) Isabelle. Roger grew up in South Grafton and has lived in Grafton most of his life. He attended St. John's High School in Worcester.
Roger was in the Air Force during the Korean War. Upon returning from military service, Roger became a life-long learner, earning multiple degrees from several area colleges including Assumption College and the University of Connecticut. While continually advancing his education, he also worked at Stetson Home for Boys in Barre, the Department of Social Services, he was a school psychologist for the city of Fitchburg, and taught at several area colleges.
Later in his life, he embraced his love of music and combined it with his experience in the mental health field to create a successful music therapy business that served many area nursing homes. After retiring in 1987, he continued to share his talents by volunteering at nursing homes, singing karaoke for many years, as well as offering various cable programs on the Grafton Cable channel that are still shown to this day.
He was a member of St. James Church of South Grafton and the Webster Council of the Knights.
The family greatly thanks the staff of St. Francis Home who have cared for Roger with amazing compassion and generosity of spirit over the past 19 months as well as the staff of New England Hospice who helped Roger these last few weeks as he finalized his journey on this earth.
Roger's funeral will be held on Thursday, Nov. 15th from Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main St. in Millbury with a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. James Church, 89 Main Street in South Grafton. His burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Whitinsville. His calling hours are 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14th in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger's memory may be made to St. James Church, 89 Main St., South Grafton, MA, 01560, or the Grafton Food Bank, 30 Providence Rd., Grafton, MA, 01519
Read Roger Isabelle's Obituary and Guestbook on mulhane.com.
Roger leaves his wife of 54 years, Janet I. (Lamarche) Isabelle; a daughter, Paula L. Prout and her husband David J. Prout of Grafton; his only grandson, Brendon Grabowski of Northbridge; his sister-in-law, Lucille Bailey and her husband William; their family and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was born in 1929, son of Alphonse and Lillian (Leduc) Isabelle. Roger grew up in South Grafton and has lived in Grafton most of his life. He attended St. John's High School in Worcester.
Roger was in the Air Force during the Korean War. Upon returning from military service, Roger became a life-long learner, earning multiple degrees from several area colleges including Assumption College and the University of Connecticut. While continually advancing his education, he also worked at Stetson Home for Boys in Barre, the Department of Social Services, he was a school psychologist for the city of Fitchburg, and taught at several area colleges.
Later in his life, he embraced his love of music and combined it with his experience in the mental health field to create a successful music therapy business that served many area nursing homes. After retiring in 1987, he continued to share his talents by volunteering at nursing homes, singing karaoke for many years, as well as offering various cable programs on the Grafton Cable channel that are still shown to this day.
He was a member of St. James Church of South Grafton and the Webster Council of the Knights.
The family greatly thanks the staff of St. Francis Home who have cared for Roger with amazing compassion and generosity of spirit over the past 19 months as well as the staff of New England Hospice who helped Roger these last few weeks as he finalized his journey on this earth.
Roger's funeral will be held on Thursday, Nov. 15th from Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 Main St. in Millbury with a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. James Church, 89 Main Street in South Grafton. His burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Whitinsville. His calling hours are 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14th in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger's memory may be made to St. James Church, 89 Main St., South Grafton, MA, 01560, or the Grafton Food Bank, 30 Providence Rd., Grafton, MA, 01519
Read Roger Isabelle's Obituary and Guestbook on mulhane.com.
A service summary is not available