Philip Francis Rollain

Philip Rollain passed away Saturday at the age of 83. He was born in Syracuse, NY on August 18, 1932 to Robert and Irene Rollain. Funeral services will be conducted 3:00 Wednesday at St. Ann Catholic Church, Clayton. He was the 7th of 14 children and was preceded in death by his parents and 8 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife of 31 years SuAnne Rollain, daughters, Pauline Roth and husband Rick, Michele Allen and husband Russ; four stepchildren Michael Cheek and wife Patty, Todd Cheek and wife Eva, Shannon Cheek and wife Trisha, and Heather Boyd. His grandchildren; Thomas and Joseph Roth, Megan Allen and Sara Hamlett and husband Steven and 5 step grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He attended school in the Buffalo, NY area. As a young boy he worked for Western Union as a bicycle courier, after high school he worked at Spalding Fiber in Buffalo, NY. Philip served 2 years in the US Army and then graduated from Buffalo State College, then went on to Greely, CO to obtain his Master's Degree in Industrial Arts from the University of Colorado. His professional career started as a teacher of Industrial Arts at Fairfax, VA, then moved on to Long Island, NY where he was also an ICT Coordinator for Suffolk County, NY. He wrote and published two educational books "Eli the Electron" for beginning readers and "Exploring Electronics with the Electrical Team". Wanting to live in a warmer climate he attended NC State University for his advanced degree. He was offered an internship with the NC Dept. of Vocational Education and later was hired as the NC State VICA Director, a job he especially enjoyed which had him travelling to schools throughout the state of NC. He also developed statewide programs for regional leadership training competencies, developed the standard course of study for vocational programs, developed the curriculum for EPDA and wrote newsletters for the NCDOE. In 1986 he became the Vocational Director of Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools where he remained until his retirement in 1996. After his retirement he and his wife SuAnne travelled in their RV throughout the United States visiting all but 2 states. They lived full time in the RV for 7 years until coming back to Clayton, NC where they have lived since 2002, enjoying a quiet life with children, grandchildren, and extended family. The family will receive friends on Wednesday one hour prior to the service from 2-3 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Philip’s name to St. Ann Catholic Church, 4057 US Hwy 70 Clayton, NC 27520. Online condolences may be made to the Rollain family at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com. Arrangements are with McLaurin Funeral Home, Clayton,