Raoul A. "Pete" Roberts

Raoul A. "Pete" Roberts, 99, passed away peacefully Friday, July 3, 2015, at Mount Saint Rita Health Centre, Cumberland. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Irene S. (Judenis) Roberts. Born in Northbridge, Massachusetts, he was the only son of the late Arthur and Roseanna (Morin) Roberts. Pete was a designer draftsman for General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in Groton, Connecticut for 30 years, retiring in 1977. He designed the steering column for the first nuclear submarine, "Nautilis ", and was the only civilian at the time to receive a cash award from the United States Government for his outstanding efforts in the nuclear submarine design program. He served his country proudly in the United States Army during World War II most notably in the First Reconnaissance Division at the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the Bronze Star. In his later years, Pete became a well known local artist in the East Lyme, Connecticut area. He was extremely talented and gifted his family and friends with many treasured portraits. He was the honored father of Elaine M. (George, Ret PFD) Sullivan, Laraine M. (Harold, Ret PFD) Schofield and Steven J. (Dianne Welch) Roberts; eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Aurore Tessier, Bertha Sauve, Germaine Bogie, Rita Lavallee and Pearl Higgins. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday morning, from 8:30 am - 10:00 am, in the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Road, (Rt117) Warwick. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in Our Lady of Mercy Church, Fourth Avenue, East Greenwich. Burial, with military honors, will be in Saint Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mount Saint Rita Health Centre, 15 Sumner Brown Road, Cumberland, RI 02864 or Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904, in his memory will be greatly appreciated.