Roland B Desilets

Born in Lynn, MA on February 21, 1931 he was the son of the late Rodolphe and Blanche Desilets. He has two surviving brothers, Rodolphe (wife-Joanne) and Armand, and a late sister, Jacqueline.

Desi was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, class of 1949. He then served as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict from 1950 – 1953.

Upon returning to Lynn, Desi entered Boston College to pursue a B.S. in Mathematics, graduating Cum Laude in 1958. He accepted a position as a Mathematician with Burroughs Corporation and moved to Malvern where he lived the remainder of his life. He completed his formal education at Villanova University earning a Master’s Degree in Mathematics in 1960.

Desi met the love of his life, Frances V. McAleer, in 1959. They were married on October 15, 1960 and were celebrating 50 years of marriage this year. During that time they were almost inseparable, sharing their joys and sorrows, overwhelmingly joys, which included raising their four children: Roland, Jr.; Barbara Ann; Thomas; and Michele.

Desi was at the forefront of the emerging software development field and spent decades contributing to the research and development of large computer systems’ hardware and software. Among his accomplishments were participating in developing the navigation system for the NASA Gemini Space Exploration Program and working on early versions of Burroughs mainframe computer operating systems. Over time, he arose through the management ranks retiring from Unisys Corporation in 1991 as Director of Systems Software Development.

Desi was an active member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Malvern since 1964, serving as an usher and later as a Eucharistic Minister.

Desi is survived by his loving wife, Frances Desilets, and their four children; son Roland, daughter Barbara Ann Lawrie and her husband, Bill, son Thomas and his wife, Amy and daughter Michele Reel and her husband David. He was predeceased by his faithful dog Sparky in 1992.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church in Malvern, PA at 10:00AM on Saturday, April 10th. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lansdowne, PA.

Friends and relatives are also invited to attend a viewing at Alleva’s Funeral Home, Inc. on Friday, April 9th from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at 1724 East Lancaster Avenue, Paoli, PA 19301. Phone: (610)644-3540 and Website: www.allevafuneralhome.com. There will not be a viewing on Saturday morning.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Parish, 126 Woodland Avenue, Malvern, PA 19355.