Roger Taine Ouellette

Roger Taine Ouellette passed away May 3, 2023, at the age of 86. He was born April 4, 1937, in Lowell Massachusetts., to parents, Marguerite Martel and Taine Ouellette. Roger had two younger siblings and in his early till teen years they all lived together on the family’s working farm in Billerica, MA.

Roger worked from an early age and his first paying job was for Billerica Publishing Company where he was a sterotypist and he made printing plates for flatbed presses at the age of 14. He joined the US Air Force in 1954 when he was 16 years old. He attended Stewart Air Base, 105th Airlift Wing (Air Mobility Command unit of the New York Air National Guard) in Newburgh, New York for Boot Camp/Basic Training.

Military assignments sent him to Leon, France where he worked in Jet Bomber Maintenance. He then went to Germany, and Libya, North Africa where he sometimes slept in tents but mostly lived in swamps and ate tree bark and slept by the bay in the water when on mission. Then he went back to Leon France where he was part of the “TOSS BOMBING.” The US then replaced the B-26 with the B-57 and at this point the United States was referred to as “the friendly enemy.” He traveled and worked as a Jet Aircraft Superintendent in Fighter and Bomber Squadrons. He returned to NY and was soon transferred to Panama City, Florida for a couple of years. Roger’s favorite plane was the B-57.

Roger loved Skydiving and did it often. The most fun he ever had was Skydiving at West Point (in Stewart NY at the West Point Facility) where his job was to maintain the airplanes that the pilots at West Point used. They liked him and invited him to go along, and he had a blast. He once jumped and was swept off course and came down by an active skeet range where a squadron commander saw him. He was called into the office the next morning and told “no more jumping in that area.”

He was then deployed to Taiwan where he was an Airplane Mechanic for a short time and then returned to the United States in the early 1970’s. Roger continued to work at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, (Tucson, Arizona) for the rest of his career with the Air Force. He retired June 1974 after 20 years as 1st Master Sargent with multiple citations, commendation medals, and numerous accreditations. Roger’s career encompassed a total of 37 years in the Aviation Industry. He spent 20 years with the United States Air Force and another combined 17 years with Hamilton Aviation where he was the Maintenance Supervisor and Chief Inspector, Gates Learjet where he was the Flight Inspector and at Lockheed Aeromod Center, where he was the Quality Control Inspector. In letters from Hamilton Aviation, they describe Roger as “self-motivated with a high degree of initiative and evidence of proficiency.” Roger was a very modest and humble man and concealed his many accomplishments.

Roger completed three years of college and many continuing education courses over the years. He attended Military Schools, Air University Extension Course Institute, Advance Schools Inc., Pima Community College, Gates Learjet School, University of Delaware, and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he received his degree in Aviation Management. Roger was a licensed Private Pilot. He owned and flew a Cessna T-50 and a Cessna 172. Roger also held licenses for FAA Airframe and Powerplant, and FAA Inspection Authorization.

Roger had many hobbies and was an incredible Airplane Mechanic and wood crafter. He could build and fix anything and make it work from scraps and leftover pieces of junk. He enjoyed making children’s toys, furniture and musical instruments that gave much joy to their recipients. He handmade and played Dulcimer’s, played Mahjong, enjoyed electronics, the outdoors, nature, and geo-caching. He owned several boats, and he enjoyed fishing. Roger loved animals and he had many dogs, pet pigs, cats, and rabbits. He also adored his constant four-legged companion “COWBOY” whom he drove around in his red scooter in the park where he lived. He loved talking and visiting with his neighbors. Roger had a positive attitude and was always cheerful.

Roger is predeceased by; his mother, Marguerite E. "Peg" Martel Ouellette Stygles born in Billerica, MA., Middlesex County September 5, 1916, and deceased September 27, 2008, at 92 years old. She was married 53 years to Roger’s stepfather, Leo E. Stygles of Hutchinson Kansas.

Roger’s father, Taine Ouellette was born June 8, 1911, in Billerica, MA., and deceased November 19, 2009, in Nashua, New Hampshire at 98 years old.

Roger’s little brother, Gerald A. Ouellette was born in 1939 and deceased in Lowell Massachusetts in 1950 at 11 years old.

Roger’s stepsister, Lynne Annette Stygles Brisendine Pennington of Hutchinson, Kansas, born February 1956, and deceased September 29, 2016, at 60 years old. She was married to Clark Pennington.

Roger’s first wife, Kasi R. Juntarasena – French, of Mesa Arizona, born November 5, 1946, and deceased November 30, 2009, at 63 years old.

Roger’s second wife, Mary Lou “Elisa” Ouellette born March 3, 1945, and deceased March 17, 1998, at 53 years old.

Roger’s third wife, Viola “Dolly” Marie Bailey Ouellette born November 24, 1933, and deceased July 25, 2009, at 75 years old.

Roger is predeceased by many other relatives and his four-legged Shih Tzu companions, “Candice,” “Grandma,” “Princess,” “Brandy” and most recently he suffered the heartbreaking loss of “Cowboy” on March 28, 2023.

Roger is survived by; his sister, Rita Ida Ouellette Eickhorst, of Leominster, MA., daughter, Nancy Noise Ouellette (John Weiss), son, James K. Ouellette, and many other relatives including aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews and friends, especially his longtime friend, Francis Schwing.

In addition, he is survived by three stepdaughters, Jeanne A. Silverberg (Ruben Borrego), Susan Wedel (Dr. Rick Wedel), and Pamela Dickerson (Dave Dickerson) all of Tucson, Arizona, along with step grandchildren; Stanley Silverberg, Travis North (Sheli), Cameron North (Joy), Eric Wedel (Kristen),

Collin Wedel (Sarah), Max Wedel (Charis), Breann Dickerson Campbell, Brandon Dickerson (Kayla)

and 8 great grandchildren.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Catalina Hospice for their compassionate and caring services in the last few days of Roger’s life.

Roger will always be remembered for his honesty, loyalty, kind heart, and his quick wit. He is a treasured part of our past because when we live in the hearts of those we leave behind, we do not die.

There will be private services and a burial at East Lawn Cemetery, Tucson, Arizona with full military honors.