Brunswick - On December 16, 2017, J. Roland Morin (aka Joseph Roland Laval Morin) 90, of Brunswick, left this world to join the love of his life, Dorina, in heaven.

The son of Joseph Bernard Morin & Bernadette Lebel Morin, he was born in Brunswick, May 14, 1927.  He attended Brunswick Schools and graduated from Brunswick High School in 1945.  It was there that he met the love of his life, Dorina Poulin, and they were married at St. John's Church on May 15, 1948.  Before they were married, he built their first home on Harpswell St. in Brunswick and then five years later, with the help of his good friend Robert Favreau, built their second home on Hillside Road where they resided for 63 years.  They had ten children, Doriane, Raymond, Pauline “Polly”, Louis, Patrick Roland (deceased at 6 months), Annette, Philip, Lucie, Patrick Arthur and George. 

Roland was on his high school's cross-country team and helped teach shop class to his classmates, as he was very talented with machinery.  While still in high school, Roland worked at W.T. Grant as well as being a millwright at Verney Textile Mill. Following graduation, he entered the Army serving his country for seventeen months.  Roland was a very talented man who worked many different jobs over the years to support his family.  He returned to Verney Textile Mill following his military service, worked as a machinist at Hyde Windlass in Bath and at S.A.G.E. in Topsham, and was also a seasonal postal worker. He was well known in the community as the owner and operator of “Morin's Merry Ice Cream Wagon” for nine years. Later, he ran a restoration and renovation business as “The House Doctor” until his retirement as skilled structural and finish carpenter.

Roland's faith gave him the strength needed to get through life.  He was active in his parish. He volunteered with the original “Save our Steeple” event, which later became the annual St. John's Bazaar where Roland continued to help with set up, security and tear down activities until recent years. During the most recent renovation of the church, Roland personally re-finished all of the hardwood floors and customized the hymnal holders to fit the new, larger hymnals.

Roland and Dorina were active members of Sage Swingers and Gourmet Rounds, enjoying many years of square and round dancing. Together they completed two cross-country trips and a trip to France searching the roots of the Morin family. He was also a member of People's Plus. 

Roland took great pride in his large and beautiful vegetable and flower gardens.  His family benefited from the crops harvested from the vegetable garden as did visitors to the Morin homestead. 

Roland was predeceased by Dorina, his wife of 69 years, his son Patrick Roland, his daughter Pauline Bartlett as well as his sisters Jeanne Caouette, and Claire Parker.

Roland is survived by his children Doriane Asquith and her husband Peter, Raymond and his wife Nancy, Louis and his wife Deryth, Annette Wakely and her husband Stan, Philip and his wife Donna, Lucie Cardali and her husband Brian, Patrick and his wife Dianna, George and his wife Abbie, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren.  He is also survived by his two sisters Madeline Martel and her husband Arthur of Hollywood, FL and his sister Yvette Donahue of Wells, ME as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Freeport Nursing Home and Hospice of Southern Maine for their help and support during this difficult time.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Desmond Funeral Homes. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.  A celebration of his life will be held in the spring.

Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the St. John’s Events Building Fund, 132 McKeen St., Brunswick, ME 04011.