Obituary for Don Denis Roland
Don Denis Roland, 84, of Lakeside, passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 9, surrounded by his family.
Born in Terryville, Don was a member of Terryville High’s state championship basketball team in 1954. He served in the National Guard and Army Reserves then received his bachelor’s degree from Danbury State College where he played basketball, baseball and soccer. He received his master’s from Southern Conn. State University.
Don made a career as a teacher, coach and guidance counselor at Shepaug Valley High. In 1965, he coached the high school to its only state soccer title. For many summers, he and two close friends, Ted Alex and Lou Magnoli, ran Camp Teloudon, an outdoor camp for area children. Don was a long-time member of the Washington American Legion Post 87, Torrington Elks Club, and Washington Rod and Gun Club, and was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. He greatly enjoyed fishing, traveling and golf.
Don is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gay Baldwin Roland; his five children, Mark Roland, Dawn Norton, Kim Roland, Kelley Shemms and Tracy Barger; eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Barry Roland, and sister, Judith Roland Mareane.
A private graveside service was held at the East Morris Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the “Ted Alex Memorial '' 82 Shinar Mountain Rd. Washington Depot CT 06794. The money goes to a Shepaug graduate scholarship and a cancer research foundation.
Born in Terryville, Don was a member of Terryville High’s state championship basketball team in 1954. He served in the National Guard and Army Reserves then received his bachelor’s degree from Danbury State College where he played basketball, baseball and soccer. He received his master’s from Southern Conn. State University.
Don made a career as a teacher, coach and guidance counselor at Shepaug Valley High. In 1965, he coached the high school to its only state soccer title. For many summers, he and two close friends, Ted Alex and Lou Magnoli, ran Camp Teloudon, an outdoor camp for area children. Don was a long-time member of the Washington American Legion Post 87, Torrington Elks Club, and Washington Rod and Gun Club, and was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. He greatly enjoyed fishing, traveling and golf.
Don is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gay Baldwin Roland; his five children, Mark Roland, Dawn Norton, Kim Roland, Kelley Shemms and Tracy Barger; eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Barry Roland, and sister, Judith Roland Mareane.
A private graveside service was held at the East Morris Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to the “Ted Alex Memorial '' 82 Shinar Mountain Rd. Washington Depot CT 06794. The money goes to a Shepaug graduate scholarship and a cancer research foundation.