ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS. Vigil Duty request for Visitation and Funeral for Capt. Rolland Gauthier

Sent on behalf of John Sobey, ROFFA Protocol Director:

The family of Rolland Gauthier is requesting members who will provide Vigil Duty during the visitation on July 10^th (2 - 4pm and 7 - 9pm). The family welcomes retired and active members who wish to attend the funeral on Friday, July 11^th in uniform.

Full dress uniform with medals and white gloves required for vigil duty members. Gloves will be made available as required.  

Information on the location for visitation and funeral can be found below. 

Contact John Sobey at johnsobey@roffa.ca if available for vigil duty or other related inquiries.  

Born: 1937

Joined GFD: 1960

Retired: 1996

Deceased: June 11, 2025

On June 11 , Rolland, of Orléans, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children, at the age of 87, following a brief illness.

He leaves behind his four children, Christian (Geneviève), Brigitte (Chris), Charles (Joëlle), and Patrick (Chantal); his eight grandchildren, Vickie, Cameron, Alexi, Rose, David, Phillip, Brandon and Jesse; his sisters Colette (Fernand Simon), Simone (the late Fernand Fournier) and Madeleine (Roger Parisien), his sisters-in-law Aline (the late Aimé), Lise (the late Gérard) and Pierrette (the late Roger), several nieces and nephews, his friend Marni Hunt-Stephens and many other friends including the greater Orléans community and his former Gloucester firefighters family. He also thanks and commends his ex-wife and mother of his children, Claudette Gravel.

Son of the late Arthur Gauthier and the late Alma Lachapelle, he was also predeceased by his brothers Aimé, Léo, Oscar, Edgar, Gérard, Aurèle, and Roger, as well as his sisters Rita and Rosa.

Rolly lived life to the fullest, deeply involved in his beloved Orléans. An elite hockey and softball player, he was also a loving and devoted father, a tireless worker who kept things simple, took pride in a job well done, and cherished true friendship. He was a man of principles and profound human values, an eternal practical joker who enjoyed a good laugh and no-nonsense wholesome humour.

The family will receive visitation at Heritage Funeral Complex, 1250 Trim Road, Orléans, on Thursday July 10 , from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday July 11 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Orléans.

Rolland and his family extend a special thanks to the entire staff at the Ottawa General Hospital cancer clinic and all of the 4th floor personnel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ottawa Cancer Foundation: ottawacancer.ca.

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