Roland Hilaire Brisson

Brisson, Roland Hilaire 1947-2022

Roland Hilaire Brisson (“Rolly”) passed away peacefully at Health Sciences North on May 11, 2022, at the age of 75.  Rolly battled for 30 long years against cancers and their ensuing complications.  He was strong, stoic and never complained.  He took everything life threw at him with an optimistic view that he would enjoy what time he had. His suffering finally ended, while surrounded by his loving wife, Jacqueline (née Asselin), and 3 children; André (Alayne), Mélanie (Vlad) and Marc (Hilary).

Rolly is survived by his 4 cherished grandchildren; Zélia, Charlie, Sophie and Sam.  He is also survived by 2 sisters; Solange Boudreau and Jocelyne Kelm.  He is predeceased by his parents, and a sister Suzanne Lewis and brother Raymond.  Rolly also survives many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews whom he always cherished.

Rolly was born on May 3, 1947 in St. Fabien de Panet, QC to Louis-Aimé and Marie-Anna (née Marceau).  His family relocated to Hanmer, ON at age 8.  He met Jacqueline (“Jackie”) on a blind date at a New Year’s Eve party and they were married in 1973.  They lived in Tiverton, ON for 18 years where Rolly built their first family home and worked for Ontario Hydro as a machinist.  He enjoyed camping, canoeing, the outdoors, woodworking, whittling, and playing hockey.  Moving (back to) Hanmer in 1994, he worked for Ontario Power Generation until his health complications brought him to early retirement.  He had an engineering mind that could figure anything out (Brissoner). His retirement passion was riding his motorcycle and solving the world’s problems at Tim Hortons with his buddies “à la table intélligente”.  A voracious reader all his life, books became his main hobby as his health declined.

Rolly was a quiet man who kept to himself, loved to eat, read and fiddle faddling in the garage.  The socializer in him came out at family gatherings.  Rolly valued family above all else.  He absolutely loved working at his cousin’s (Jean Morin) maple sugar farm in St. Eustache, QC every spring.  Over all his years, he revelled in keeping in touch with his siblings, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, their kids and was always overjoyed to watch his grandkids grow up.

He will be missed by family, friends and wonderful neighbours. He is free from suffering now and may this warm everyone’s hearts in memory of him.

As Rolly wanted, a family/friends gathering will be held Saturday June 10th from 11am-3pm at Club D'Age D'Or de la Vallee Inc, 26 Cote Blvd, Hanmer, ON P3P 1X5.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Health Sciences North (Sudbury, ON) or Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Toronto, ON).  Rolly received unbelievable care at both these institutions over the past 30 years which directly extended his life.  Rolly’s family remain very grateful to his giant health care team.  Services provided by Simple Wishes of the North, Sudbury.

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