ROCKLAND — Roger A. Brochu, age 82, passed away Monday, June 17, 2019 at the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, of complications after a partial hip replacement and kidney failure.

Born in Chisholm, ME, June 20, 1936, he was the son of Frank X. and Irene (Yokell) Brochu.

Roger is survived by three brothers, Rene Brochu and his wife Beverly, of Jay, Gerard Brochu and his wife Pauline, of Livermore Falls, Raymond Brochu of Brighton, Massachusetts; a sister, Rita Brochu Melendy and her husband, Ronald of Auburn; 26 nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

Other than his parents, Roger was predeceased by his brother Francis Brochu, and sisters Yvonne Dunham and Lillian Nichols.

Roger graduated from Jay High School in 1958 and from the Auburn Maine School of Commerce in 1960. He taught Business Courses in Eagle Lake, was inducted into the military and did his Army basic training at Fort Ord, CA where he gave English classes to Military Personnel and worked as a Chaplain’s Assistant. He was later stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany and again served as a full Chaplain Assistant for all the Catholic and other troops at the Kleber Chapel Church in Kaiserslautern. His language abilities helped German, French, American and Arabs to socialize.

He was a longtime dedicated communicant of St. Bernards Catholic Church in Rockland and was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Roger was a Graymoor Friar of the Atonement in Peekskill Garrison, NY for a brief period. He left the order to do evangelization on the streets of New York where he lived for 33 years. He participated in numerous prayer groups, one of which was Saint Teresa of Calcutta’ Order and had the opportunity to be at her order’s prayer group numerous times when she was present and participating with the prayer group.

He was the International export-promotion manager for Laster International Inc. This employment required him to translate in many languages, and he became proficient in communicating with foreigners. In later years he was often asked by police and doctors and foreign tourists to translate for them.

He enjoyed singing in church choirs all his life and was frequently asked to sing solos at funerals. Over his lifetime, he enjoyed entertaining with song, acting in musical plays and also played the piano. He enjoyed life to the fullest.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses in the ICU at Central Maine Medical Center for their compassionate care, especially two very special angels, Lyse and Heather.

Visiting hours will be held Thursday, June 20,  from 5 to 7p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. Rockland.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 21, at 1 p.m., at St. Bernards Catholic Church, 150 Broadway, Rockland. The Reverend Robert Vaillancourt will officiate.

Interment will be at a later date in Holy Cross Cemetery, Livermore Falls, ME.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Bernard’s Soup Kitchen, 150 Broadway, Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a memory or story with Roger’s family, visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.