E. Dean Roland

E. Dean Roland, 89, of Glastonbury, loving husband for over 66 years to Jean (Montanaro) Roland, passed away peacefully on Monday, (June 6, 2011), surrounded by his caring family. Born in Marion, NC on May 31, 1922, a son of the late James and Agatha (Schmidt) Roland, he had been a resident of Glastonbury since 1962. Dean graduated from Marion High School in Marion, NC, in 1939, and entered the U.S. Army in 1942, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and serving our country with distinction in France and the Philippines during World War II. Dean worked at and then owned and operated Andy's Market on Wooster Street in Hartford from 1946 through 1968. He later owned and operated Dean's Spirit Shoppe on Main Street, East Hartford, with his beloved wife and partner from 1969 until he and Jean retired in 1987. Dean was a former member of the Hartford UNICO and East Hartford Elks Club for many years, and was a member of the East Hartford Chamber of Commerce from 1970 through the 1990's, where he also served as Vice President. Dean was an active and dedicated member of the East Hartford Rotary Club for the past 38 years and was a Paul Harris Fellow award recipient. A loyal Rotarian, Dean was one of the original members who coordinated the Rotary golf tournament, which has been a successful tournament for over 20 years in raising funds for area charities. Known as the southern ""gentle"" man, Dean was a fixture in the East Hartford business community and charitable organizations for more than 40 years. A sports enthusiast, Dean was an avid golfer and Boston Red Sox fan who also enjoyed his poker nights. He was also a founding member of the East Hartford Coffee Club that met every weekday morning at the former First Federal Savings Bank on Main Street, East Hartford. However, most of all, the ""gentle"" southern man was a family man who was a dedicated and loyal husband, father, and grandfather who loved spending much of his time with all of them. Along with his beloved wife, Jean, Dean is survived by two daughters, Donna Barnett of Glastonbury, and Andrea Gaedeke and her husband, David, of New Hartford; a son, Bob Roland and his wife, Lisa, of New Hartford; seven special grandchildren, Deana Hutson and her husband, John, of Chester, Darcey Heywosz and her husband, Mike, of Wethersfield, Sarah Gaedeke and her husband, Alex Clarke, of Torrington, Jacob Gaedeke, Emma Gaedeke, Paige Roland, and Jameson Roland all of New Hartford; one soon-to-be first great-grandchild; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Funeral services will be Saturday (June 11, 2011) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. (Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Saturday morning). Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park, (Section 19), Elm Street, Rocky Hill. Relatives and friends may call at the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Friday (June 10, 2011) from 3 - 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dean's name may be made to the East Hartford Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 280722, East Hartford, CT 06128-0722. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.