OXFORD — With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Roland Estes on January 21, 2024. He is now reunited in heaven with his loving wife Rose Estes, who passed on December 27, 2023, only 25 days prior. Roland was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, and friend.

Roland F. Estes, 90, of Oxford was born March 12, 1933, in Westbrook, to J. Walter and Emma (Gray) Estes. He was the youngest of four siblings, and an identical twin to his older (by seven minutes!) brother Ronald.

In his early years, his family lived in Albany, where he walked to school with his twin brother every day. In seventh grade, they moved to South Paris, and he finished his school years there. During the summers, he would work for farmers in the area picking vegetables to earn money. This is where his work ethic must have started. While in high school, he worked at Paris Farmers Union unloading trucks with his brother. Never one to shy away from hard work. He graduated from South Paris High School in 1951, and attended the University of Southern Maine, earning his degree in Animal Husbandry. While earning his degree, he began raising chickens as part of the curriculum in the backyard of his parents’ home. Thus began his love of chickens. Before he was able to use that degree, Uncle Sam called him to duty in October of 1953. He served in the U.S. Army in Panama during the Korean war. He was honorably discharged in June of 1955.

In 1956, he married Constance Dobbins and together they had three children, Jolene, Tracy and Diehl. They built the house their family lived in on Nichol Street, just down the road from his parents’ home. His second marriage was to Rose Dobbins Noble. She had four children from a previous marriage, and together she and Roland had three sons, Daniel, Yonhel and Lionel. They later bought the Webberbrook Farm in Oxford in 1974 and remained together at the farm until their passing.

Always happiest when working with his hands, he excelled at several different jobs in his life, many of them in leadership roles. He was a foreman at A.C. Lawrence Leather, then was farm manager at Hillcrest Poultry, and worked for a time at Decoster Egg Farms. He increased egg production and lowered chicken mortality at the farms he managed, due to his practical management techniques and good care of the hens. He also worked a few years at a small family-run egg farm in Amherst, Mass., commuting home on the weekends.

He was a very dedicated professional. He had a construction business with his twin brother, Ronald, and together they wallpapered and painted many houses in the Oxford Hills. He worked with his nephew Reed Saunders, and he had a painting and home repair business with his brother-in-law Joe Dobbins, called “Grumpy & Grumpier.” We were never sure who was who? He took his three older sons, Chris, Diehl and Danny to work on weekends and on school vacations at Decoster to earn money, learn responsibility and work ethic when they were young boys.

But perhaps his greatest career was the 20-plus years spent as a rural route carrier for the USPS for the towns of Waterford and Stoneham. He took great pride in his years with the post office and retired in 2002 at the age of 70. He loved to regale us with stories of his adventures on his mail route, between loose dogs, snowstorms, vehicle breakdowns, and also of the kindness and generosity of his mail patrons with their beautiful treats and gifts at the holidays.

Dad wanted us to be prepared in life; if you were going to drive a car, you should know how to change a tire and the oil. He was quick to take anyone under his wing and patiently teach us good solid skills to get you through life. He taught us many other things to help us be independent and successful. He was jack of all trades, and a skilled craftsman. As he liked to remind us, “Measure twice, cut once.” He could build or fix anything. He was a carpenter, electrician, plumber, welder, and mechanic.

He built beautiful kitchen cabinets for several family members that are still in use today. When he was in his 70s, he took on the task of building on an addition for one of his daughters and put in a full day’s work with his son Daniel. If anyone needed help, he was the first one out the door to lend a hand no matter what. He was a bit of a pack rat as well. He saved everything, and was known to say, “I might need it someday.” And usually, he was right!

He had a great love of all things automotive. He especially loved Dodge cars and trucks. He loved to tell stories about him- self and friends racing up Pikes Hill, and through South Paris when he was younger (although he always said Ronald was the daredevil!). He tinkered on many different cars over the years, and did his own vehicle maintenance right into his 80s.

He planted marvelous, beautiful gardens. He had an amazing green thumb. All summer long, he was giving away his extra vegetables. He truly enjoyed making the rounds on his bike in the neighborhood, sharing his bounty with his neighbors. He was an avid runner and was running 5Ks well into his 70s, until knee replacement surgery put an end to his running days. He then took up bike riding. He would ride 5-7 miles a day on his bicycle every day, year-round.

Our lives will never be the same without him, but Heaven has gained a very busy Angel. He will be missed eternally.

Roland was predeceased by his loving wife Rose, his parents; sister, Phyllis Sorrentino; brothers, Guy Boutelle and Ronald Estes, and him and Rose’s beloved son Daniel Noble.

He is survived by his children: Jolene (Richard) Berry, Tracy Estes, Diehl Estes, Victoria Cushman, Christopher Noble, Elizabeth (Dale) Frechette, Yonhel Noble, and Lionel Noble.

Grandchildren: Jamie, Janelle, Courtney, Tiffany, Travis, DJ, Sylar, Lionel, Dana, Billy, Donny, Maxx, Chrissy, Zandi, Zianna, Dylan, Gabe, Michaela, and Boone.

Great-grandchildren: Lyla, Jameson, Wyatt, Isabelle, Abby, Maddox, Sophia, Daniel, Lennon, Brynley, Haley, Catalaya, Lilly and Colton. Many cousins, nieces and nephews, sisters-in-laws, and brother-in-law Joseph Dobbins who was like a brother to him.

Roland’s family would like to thank Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice for the kind and gentle attention he received while in their care. All the RNs, CNAs, social workers, and the pastor who treated him and the entire family with kindness and respect at all times. We also would like to give credit and thanks to Melanie Moore, who cared for Roland (and Rose too) tirelessly in their final months. We couldn’t have kept him comfortably at home without your compassionate care and dedication.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, South Paris. Family and friends may attend visiting hours on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be held in the spring at Webberbrook Cemetery in Oxford. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com