1936
Captain Roger
2016
Captain Roger Arsenault
October 24, 1936 — January 30, 2016
WOODSTOCK: Roger Arsenault of Woodstock CT passed away Saturday evening at the age of 79. He was born in Charlton, Massachusetts to the late George and Olivina Arsenault, and lived most of his life in and around the town of Southbridge, Massachusetts. In his youth he attended the parish school at Sacred Heart Church and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1955. Following graduation he went on to higher education at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduating in 1958, and was subsequently commissioned an Officer in the United States Navy. Also during this period he met and married the lovely Charlotte Bourbeau of Sturbridge Massachusetts and began a family. His brief Naval career saw Roger serve at sea aboard the USS Hanna DE 449, a stint at the Submarine School in Groton, CT and then at the Pentagon. He continued to server as a Reserve Officer until finally discharged at the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade in 1968. Following his release from active duty, Roger continued to make his living at sea by finding employ with Gulf Oil Corporation in 1961. In his 20 years with Gulf Oil he attained the status of Captain, Master Mariner Unlimited. Shortly after attaining his Captaincy in 1976, Roger was hand selected to oversee the construction and launch of Gulf Oil’s new flagship tankers, the American Spirit and American Independence. These ships represented a leap forward in the industry as they were at the time the largest class vessels built in the nation. In fact these sister ships were the first super tankers in the world. Roger served as Captain aboard the American Spirt until his retirement from Gulf in 1981. This achievement was his crowning moment to a colorful career and fodder for a tanker full of sea stories.
Following his retirement from the seas Roger chose the quiet life in Connecticut where he dabbled at farming and odd projects that caught his whimsy. Although retired, he continued to be active in the maritime community often consulting and as a guest trainer for Crest Tankers, a subsidiary of EXXON at the time. He also maintained his rolling gait and salty disposition up to the end.
Roger is survived by his three children: Brian Arsenault, Michael Arsenault and Monique Almquist and seven grandchildren. Calling hours will be held in the Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy Street, Southbridge, MA on Thursday, February 4 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Burial will be in the Spring.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Captain Roger Arsenault, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, February 4, 2016
4:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)
Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home
Guestbook
Visits: 15
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