Roger R. Desilets

Roger Rene Desilets, 81, longtime resident of Chicopee and beloved husband of Doris (Dugre) Desilets for 49 years, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 17, 2024, in the comfort of his own home with his family at his side.
Roger was born on February 12, 1943, in Webster, MA, to the late Omer and Angela (LaPalme) Desilets.
His early life was spent in North Grosvenor Dale, CT before his family eventually moved to Springfield, MA.
Roger served his country honorably in the U.S. Army as PFC during the Vietnam War.
Roger was a former employee of Adams and Ruxton Construction in Springfield, and Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee.
He was most recently employed as a Heavy Equipment Operator for over 20 years at the Massachusetts Highway Department, before retiring in 2002.
Roger enjoyed listening to music and was a fan of many of the great artists that included Tony Bennett, Dionne Warwick, and Frank Sinatra.
He was a meticulous yard man and gardener of both flowers and vegetables. He also became quite the woodworker building furniture for his home, as well as, both of his daughters’ homes. He also enjoyed making toy cars and furniture for his grandson.
Most of all, he was a great provider for his family and made sure that they never went without.
He is survived by his loving wife, Doris, and their children, Julie McCusker and her partner Liam, David Desilets, and Suzanne Desilets; his grandson, Liam McCusker II all of Chicopee, his brother, Robert Desilets and his wife Pam of Agawam, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Laurie (Desilets) Parent.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Tuesday, May 28, for a period of visitation from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. at Brunelle Funeral Home, 811 Chicopee St., Chicopee, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 56 St. Anthony St., Chicopee. Committal prayers and burial with military honors will follow immediately after the Mass at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org For online condolences please visit www.brunellefuneralhome.com