Obituary of Roger Gamache

Roger P. Gamache, a man dedicated to his family, his faith, and his community, passed away on Friday evening, June 12, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. He was 87 years old and had recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his beloved wife, Barbara (Rigazio) Gamache. Roger was born, raised and educated in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was one of three children born to the late Wilfred and Alice Gamache. In his youth, Roger enjoyed skiing the mountains of New Hampshire and was on the ski patrol at Wildcat Mountain. As a young man, Roger was eager to serve his country. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He proudly served his country during World War II and was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal. He later attended courses at Northeastern University. Roger was blessed to have a wonderful marriage to his wife, Barbara. They married in 1965 and lived in Cambridge for five years. They settled in Burlington in 1970 where they would raise their four daughters, who brought him much love and pride. As a family, they enjoyed camping trips to the White Mountains in New Hampshire and trips to Ogunquit, Maine, a place that was very special to him. Roger also had two daughters from a previous marriage, who were raised in Florida and spent summers with him. Altogether, his six daughters blessed him with 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren who touched his life in a very special way. Roger had a very successful career as a Purchasing Manager specializing in semiconductor memory technology. He worked at Honeywell in Brighton, Raytheon in Lowell, Wang Laboratories in Lowell, and retired from EMC in Hopkinton. Roger loved his career and looked forward everyday to “picking up his briefcase” and traveling throughout the world negotiating the best price. He especially loved the lifelong friends he made along the way. During his retirement years, Roger was not one to sit idle. He volunteered at The Career Place in Woburn, where he was in charge of running tests for “certifications” in various fields. He was so passionate about what he did that The Career Place changed his position from volunteer to employee. After he left his position due to health issues, he continued to receive cards and notes from his many friends there. Roger was a talented man and an active member of the Burlington community. At home, there was no task he was afraid to tackle whether it was a plumbing or carpentry project, wallpapering or painting a room, or working in his yard and garden. In town, he served on the Ways and Means Committee, was a longtime volunteer at the polls during town elections, and was a member of the American Legion. Roger was a man of deep faith and a parishioner of St. Malachy’s and in recent years of St. Margaret’s in Burlington. Both Roger and Barbara were Eucharistic Ministers. Due to his failing health, three years ago they moved to a smaller home in Woburn. Roger was the beloved husband of Barbara (Rigazio) Gamache. He was the loving father of Diane Bender & her late husband Phil of SC, Linda Kane & her late husband Howard of FL, Donna Arbo & her husband Ronald of North Andover, Karen Cox & her husband David of TX, Susan Curtin & her husband Sean of North Andover and Lynne McLeod & her husband Scott of Chelmsford. Brother of Arthur & his wife Patricia of Nashua, NH and Theresa Boyer & her husband Edward of FL. Also survived by 15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Roger will be remembered for his smile, sense of humor, great personality, and love of his family and friends. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, June 17 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday, June 16 from 4-8 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorials in Roger’s name may be made to the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805 or to a charity of one’s choice.