Roger G. Grandbois, 91, died on Tuesday, April 19, at his home with his wife of 65 years by his side. He was born in Coaticook, Quebec, Canada on March 9, 1931, the son of Laura Gregoire and Aime Grandbois. He attended St. Anne’s School and Bristol Technical High School.
A well-known schoolboy athlete, he lettered in basketball, baseball, and football. He was well remembered for a basketball shot against archrival Torrington High School. The Bristol team was down one point and at the sound of the buzzer, Roger sank a two-handed three-quarter court shot to win the game. He was carried off the court by his teammates. It is often a topic of conversation amongst friends to this day.
Roger was a staff sergeant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Upon his return to Bristol he was hired by Bristol Savings Bank as a teller. Through hard work and dedication, he rose to administrative vice president and a member of the board of directors. As a new opportunity arose he joined the Center Bank of Waterbury. He retired from the banking industry in 1982.
Roger was a member of Chippanee Golf Club for 64 years where he enjoyed competitive and social golf. The most enjoyable part of playing the game was playing with his grandchildren. He taught them not only the skills and rules of the game but how to play golf honorably and to respect the course. He and his wife enjoyed their retirement years on Hutchinson Island, Florida. He was a member of St. Matthew Church for 65 years and attended Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, Fla.
He is survived by those who love him: his wife, Arlene Palladino Grandbois, his treasured daughters and their spouses. Laurel and Michael Beloin, June and Gary Roy all of Farmington, Jennifer and Michael Truss of Colebrook, four cherished grandchildren, Gregory Beloin, Elisabeth Lepore and her spouse Michael, Scott Mann and Joshua Mann and two precious great granddaughters Addyson Elisabeth Beloin and Ella Antoinette Lepore. He is also survived by his sister and her spouse, Dolores and Ed Cushing. He is predeceased by his sister and her spouse, Pauline and Harold Zup and his stepmother, Yvonne Grandbois.
Due to the pandemic, graveside services with military honors will be held outdoors at St. Joseph Cemetery, 522 Terryville Ave., Bristol, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations to be made in his memory to the American Lung Association by visiting http://action.lung.org or the First Tee of Connecticut by visiting http://firstteeconnecticut.org or by mail to 55 Golf Club Road, Cromwell, CT 06410. Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol.
Please visit Roger’s memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.