Rollin C. Lane, Jr.
Rollin Lane, Jr. Obituary
LEOMINSTER----Rollin C. Lane, Jr., 91 years old, of Leominster, died Tuesday, December 25, 2018 in HealthAlliance-Leominster Hospital. He is survived by his daughter Kristine A. Zamora and her husband Anthony of Xenia, Ohio; 2 grandchildren, Laura Zamora and Terrance Zamora and his wife Donna; 3 great grandchildren and 2 step great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Eleanor (Arthofer) Lane in 2000 and his daughter Kimberly A. Lane in 2017.
Rollin was born January 11, 1927 in Leominster, son of Rollin C. and Ellen (Macker) Lane, Sr., brother to 4 siblings. Rollin was a life long resident. He attended Leominster Public Schools and was a member of Pilgrim Congregational Church of Leominster. He attended the Progressive School of Photography in New Haven, CT. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Photographer Mate 3rd Class where he was stationed in London, England. Over the course of his tour of duty in London he photographed many notable military figures and well known celebrities, and was assigned to cover the Victory Day Parade in London. Rollin often said he felt like he had been the "luckiest man in the Navy" and expressed a desire to return to London many times.
Rollin worked for 27 years with the Massachusetts Welfare Department Child Support Services at the Worcester Probate Court as a Child Support Enforcement Officer where he earned a reputation as being exceptionally reliable, dedicated and professional amongst judges and lawyers alike. He also continued in photography as a self employed photographer for over 25 years and covered countless weddings, school graduations and many other community events. Rollin had many photos published in the local and Boston newspapers, picked up by the wire service, and earned photo of the week in Life Magazine. He shared many stories with his daughter of times spent, day or night, rushing out to cover an event. Rollin had an adventurous spirit and expressed how he would have loved to travel the world as a photographer, but realized that was not practical as a family man. Throughout his life, well after he discontinued his photography business, people would come up to him in Leominster and say, "Do you remember that you took my wedding pictures?". Being a true self starter, Rollin also ran a Flea Market in Leominster for many years where he loved to make a good deal and was always on the look out for the hidden treasure. He also served as a Constable for both the city of Leominster and Fitchburg, and the town of Lunenburg for several years. Rollin also served as the Ward 5 Councilor for 3 terms on the Leominster City Council and throughout his life always said that Leominster was a "great place to live". He was a former call fireman in Leominster, a life member of the Leominster Lodge of Elks, one of the past presidents of the ARC of North Central, Inc., receiving the Arc Founders Award from The Arc of Opportunity in North Central Massachusetts. Rollin remained a member of the Arc for over 50 years and was responsible for initiating many fundraising events to include starting the store, Hidden Treasures, and two community wide yard sales. Rollin continued his advocacy as an active member of the Beacon of Hope in Leominster. When not working and at home in Leominster, Rollin enjoyed spending time at Wells Beach in Maine, and true to spirit, shared and started a tradition with his grandchildren and their children of the "family beach trip to Maine" every summer. What a gift he gave with times and memories shared - his love of good food, music, places he had been - places he'd like to go, and most of all his family. He couldn't see enough of them or do enough for them.
Along with a lifetime of service to his community, his dedication and commitment to hard work and excellence in all his endeavors, Rollin will be most remembered by his family for his example of love, support and dedication he showed to them all. He taught us all so much and set an example of how to treat people, of determination to always do the right thing and follow your convictions, the believe that all things were possible if one set their mind to it, and finally and perhaps most of all, how to live one's life with an unfailing generosity of spirit, patience and forgiveness. He will be missed and always loved.
Rollin’s funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 3rd at 10 am in the Silas F. Richardson & Son, 106 West Street, Leominster. Burial with military honors will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 2nd from 4-6 pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Arc of Opportunity in Fitchburg, Beacon of Hope in Leominster, or Seven Hills Foundation in Worcester.
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