NASHUA, N.H. — Roland Lesieur, co-owner of Maynard & Lesieur Inc., died Feb. 13 at age 89.
Mr. Lesieur served in the U.S. Army as a 2nd lieutenant and was involved in the Korean Conflict.
He later joined Maynard & Lesieur, the Nashua-based tire dealership founded in 1928 by his father Leo Lesieur and his grandfather Emile Maynard. It began as a gasoline and oil change garage and expanded into repairs and tire sales.
After his father's retirement in 1970, Roland Lesieur took over the business and streamlined the operations into a tire sales and service enterprise, becoming a major New England tire retail and wholesale supplier.
Mr. Lesieur served on the boards of several trade associations, including the Gasoline Retailers Association of New Hampshire, the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA, predecessor to the Tire Industry Association) and the New England Association of Independent Tire Dealers (predecessor to the New England Tire & Service Association), where he also served as treasurer for many years.
In 2008 he was inducted into the New England association's hall of fame. He was a regular contributor to the association's "Roadrunner" newsletter.
"Roland was a giant in the industry. He was my mentor and a dear friend," Tire Industry Association CEO Roy Littlefield said.
"He was a driving force in NTDRA's early legislative efforts and spent more time than any other tire dealer on Capitol Hill for the successful passage of voluntary tire registration. He was always a leader in both the New England association and the national association. He will be missed, but never forgotten."
Mr. Lesieur is preceded in death by his wife Ele, brother Leo "Mike" Lesieur and daughter- in- law Laura Jean Lesieur.
He is survived by sons Steven (Carmen), Mark and Larry; daughter Cheryl Lesieur Appelstein (Charlie); six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters Jacqueline Maynard and Madeleine Gingras; and sister- in -law Elinor Lesieur.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at Davis Funeral Home in Nashua on Feb. 22. Services will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Christopher Church in Nashua on Feb. 23.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Nashua Children's Home or Home Health & Hospice Care.