St. Albans – Roland Joseph Pion a lifelong area resident passed away Friday, February 8, 2013, at the Franklin County Rehab Center with his loving family at his side.

Born in Fairfax, on April 7, 1926, he was the son of the late Florimond and Rosilda (Blain) Pion. Roland was 86 years old.

On November 3, 1956, he married Leeta Marie Richards, who survives him.

Roland was educated in Fairfield and then joined the U.S. Army serving in combat as an artillery scout during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on July 22, 1954. In June of 1985, following 38 years of service, he retired as a Plant Engineer from the former H.P. Hood Company. He was a life member of the VFW and American Legion. He was an avid Red Sox fan, deer hunter and ice fisherman and enjoyed the company of his canine companion, Sam.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Leeta of St. Albans; their children, Pierre Pion and his wife, Tiana, of Conroe, TX, Andrew Pion, of St. Albans, Bernard Pion of St. Albans, Glen Pion of St. Albans and Vicki Hemond and her husband, Buddy of St. Albans; his grandchildren, Danny Pion, Zachary Pion, Zane Pion, Elizabeth Pion, John Pion, Cody Pion, Staci Pion and Leandra Pion and his great-grandchildren Aaleah and Alexeah. Roland is also survived by his brother, Bert Pion, Fairfield VT and sister, Pauline Caron, Norwalk CT and former daughters-in-law, Lori Pion, Debbie Boyer, and Mary Pion as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Roland was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Marie in 1983, his brothers, Romeo,Reo and Maurice Pion; his sisters, Simone, Rita, Theodora and Florienne and very close nephews, Kenneth Labounty and Allen Lavender.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM and again Wednesday, February 13th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main Street, St. Albans.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday February 13th at 2:00 PM at Holy Angels Catholic Church on Lake Street, with the Reverend Maurice J. Roy as celebrant. Military honors will be accorded the Korean War Veteran with interment to follow in the family lot in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Franklin County Humane Society, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans, VT 05478. Private messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdsfuneralhome.com.