Roland Forrest Brock, a master of all trades and life-long resident of upstate New York, died unexpectedly on November 19, 2021 at the age of 63 while enjoying his retirement in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Roland was the youngest of four, born in Poughkeepsie, NY, on November 3,1958 to John and Betty Brock. He was educated in the Nyack Public Schools; he received degrees in science and mathematics, and graduated from Rockland Community College, SUNY Orange, and SUNY New Paltz. In his youth, Roland enjoyed hiking the Appalachian trail, mountain climbing, sailing the Hudson River, and cycling across the country. Roland pursued his passions of being a Christian, antique restoring, furniture-making, and renovating homes. Most importantly, Roland was a devoted father and grandfather showing his family the beauty that this world has to offer. Family was foundational, and Roland loved taking his kids on adventures in nature. As a father, he showed his children how to explore this world and the tools to navigate it. Roland had a green thumb; he had a deep love for cultivating life and sharing it with others. He was honored and proud to share all his spoils.
Roland always left the world a better place than how he found it. After a decade of restoring and repairing antique furniture, he started his own business fixing broken furniture. Roland’s tenacity to help others led him to be a stay at home dad, a teacher, and a maintenance, electric and field service technician. Roland joyfully pursued learning a new concept and found satisfaction in figuring out how to solve a new problem. His extensive collection tools and knowledge only added to his vigor to generously help those in need. When Roland retired, he cared for his mother during her last years of life. Roland was a loving father, a supportive partner and a humble Christian; he loved the Lord. He gave 110% on all of his life projects and never asked for help. He was a man of few words with lots of wisdom and even more love.
Roland is survived by his six children: Charissa Jean Bolduc, Danielle Elysia Edwards, Jonah Stuart Brock, Trescha Marie Brock, Jeremiah Roland Brock, and Moriah Dawn Brock-Byrom, that he shared with his former wife, Debra Brock; his nine grandchildren: Benjamin, Jacob, Samuel, Emma, Julianna, Boden, Kaleb, Ailis, and Ivan. Roland will be dearly missed by his fiancée, Paula Williams, and his beloved cats, Stanley and Paris. He is also survived by his brother, James Brock, his sister, Jan Smith, and by several cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Jean Nanette Gasho, and his parents, John and Betty.
A private memorial service will be held for the family members. In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in Roland’s memory or send a donation to the US Forest Service Plant-A-Tree Program.
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