Sands Township––Roger Patrick “Pea Soup” Sirois, 68, of 132 Taylor Road, Sands, passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Saturday evening, April 28, 2007, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Born April 6, 1939 in Fort Kent, Maine, a son of Felix and Eva (Cyr) Sirois, Roger was raised in Fort Kent and graduated from high school there. He served in the Army National Guard, as a reservist, for a time, receiving his initial training at Fort Dix, NJ. Roger was employed for over 40 years with United Technologies, Pratt-Whitney Aircraft Division, in East Hartford, CT, as a tractor trailer driver. There, he was instrumental in training many new drivers who benefited from his wealth of experience and skill. Roger retired in 1999. Several years earlier, Roger had traveled to Germany where he toured the concentration camps of World War II. The experience was to profoundly affect him for years to come. Roger was a kind, compassionate, and considerate person who always sought the good in everyone and wanted everyone to feel special and important. He was, as many have stated, a people magnet who attracted everyone through his warm personality. A great teller of stories, he could also captivate his listeners with scores of jokes. He loved people and was very generous with his time and talent in assisting those in need. In 2003, Roger and his wife, Sharon, moved to the Sands area from Woodstock, CT. Throughout the years, Roger shared the companionship of three very special canine pals, Patty, Muffy, and Dolly Mae.
A loving husband, father, grandparent, and brother, he is survived by his wife of 26 years, Sharon (LaFond) Sirois, whom he married April 25, 1981 in East Hartford, CT; two daughters, Gloria (Richard) Beaudion of West Hartford, CT and Carol Leveque of Farmington, CT; two sons, Patrick Sirois of Copperas Cove, TX and Phillip Sirois of Marlborough, CT; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; three sisters, Amy Ralston of Pomona, CA, Bertha Lozier of Wallagrass, ME; and Theresa M. Denny of Florence, MA; his brother, Robert Sirois of Sands; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Roger was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call at the Lake Superior Christian Church in Sands on Tuesday, May 1, beginning at 1:00 pm. Funeral services will follow at 3:00 pm Tuesday afternoon with Pastor Bud Holmes officiating. Pallbearers will be Michael, Paul, and Richard Sirois, Louis Verville, Shaun Leveque, and John Denny. Honorary bearers will be all of Roger’s nephews. A reception for family and friends will follow in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be made in the Sands Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lake Superior Hospice Association, 914 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855.