Southborough – Roger P. Plourde, 89, of Southborough, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. He was the beloved husband of Gloria (Peloquin) Plourde.
Born in Worcester, he was the son of the late Eva (Pelletier) and Albert Plourde. Roger was a 1945 graduate of North High School in Worcester and joined the U.S. Navy immediately upon graduation. After his honorable discharge from the service, he went to Holy Cross and graduated in 1951 with a degree in chemistry.
Roger was involved in research and development for such companies as DeBell & Richardson, Inc. and Multi Color Gravure, where he developed pressure sensitive release film called CONTACT. He co-founded Flexcon Corp of Spencer and Temp-Flex Co of S. Grafton. In 1965, he went on to found his own company, Custom Coating & Laminating Corp., in Worcester where he was responsible for creating technology for many new products such as but not limited to: solar control; safety window films; and special heat generating laminates used in thermal target decoys during the Gulf War.
Roger invented the first custom laminates for sails in the America’s Cup Race and laminated metallic fabrics used in the space suits worn by the astronauts in NASA’s first trip to the moon.
A true man for all seasons and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was an avid windsurfer, wine lover, and was a member of Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. In addition, he was a sculptor in stone and wood. His work was on display at Assumption College, where he received a Doctorate of Humane Letters, and at the Cotuit Center for Art. Roger was a member of the President’s Council at Assumption and a longtime supporter of the college he loved.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Michele Plourde, Patricia Plourde Austin and her husband Brian, Carolyn Plourde and her husband William Herp, and Roger P. Plourde Jr. and his wife Serra, and four grandchildren, Steven and Lauren Austin and Christina and Audrey Herp. He was predeceased by his sister, Jeanine Rosen.
Calling hours will be held Friday, March 3, from 4-7 p.m., at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St., Southborough.
A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 4, at 10 a.m., at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Assumption College, 500 Salisbury St., Worcester. Burial will follow in the Southborough Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent in Roger’s memory to the Scholarship Fund at Assumption College or UMass Memorial Foundation, 333 South St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit www.morrisfuneralparlor.com.
