Roy Edward Durand

ROY E. DURAND 1948 - 2008   WALES - Roy Edward Durand, 60, passed away suddenly at Harrington Hospital on Wednesday, September 10, 2008.  He was born in Springfield on July 19, 1948, a son of the late Omer and Gertrude (LaBier) Durand.  He was raised in Indian Orchard and Ludlow and attended Springfield Trade High School.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam Veteran and was in the Army Reserve for a total of fifteen years.  He was a school bus mechanic for Graves of Wilbraham and Laidlaw of Worcester for many years.  He was a twenty one year Wales resident and retired from the Wales Highway Department in 2004.  He also worked for the Wales School Department.  He served on the Wales Volunteer Fire Department for many years.  He was also a past constable in Wales, head of the Civil Defense and a member of the Board of Health.  He is survived by his wife, T. Carol (Berry) Bennett Durand, three children, Lisa Durand and her partner Maria of Wales, Mark Durand and his wife Dorothy of Florida, and Jay Durand and his wife Naomi of Wales.  He also leaves two stepsons, Shaun Bennett of Fitzwilliam, NH, and Jody Bennett of Wales.  He also leaves a brother, Anthony Durand of Winslow, Maine, two sisters, Jeanne Pelchet of Belchertown, MA, and Gloria Anthony of Cleveland, Georgia.  He leaves nine grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brother, George.  He will be sorely missed by his many friends and those he has helped along the way.  The funeral procession will form on Tuesday, September 16 at 9am at the Ratell Funeral Home, 200 Main St., in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield followed by committal services at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel, 1390 Main St. in Agawam.  Calling hours at the funeral home are Monday, September 15 from 4 - 8pm.  Please visit www.ratellfuneralhome.com for an online guestbook.