MAURICE, DR. ROLAND R. - Peacefully and surrounded by his loving family at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre, on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, passed away Dr. Roland Rodolphe Maurice, 84, of Moncton. Born in Central Falls, Rhode Island on June 3, 1927, he was the son of the late Ronaldo and Suzanne (Maillet) Maurice. Roland Maurice graduated in medicine at I’Université de Montréal in 1955 and he started his career in Shediac, N.B., where he practiced family medicine until 1961. He then specialized in ear, nose and throat at the University of Pennsylvania in 1965 and returned to Moncton to pioneer in microsurgery of the inner ear at both Moncton hospitals. He was recognized in his illustrious career with a Fellow from the Royal Canadian College of Surgery, Fellow from the American Academy of ENT, Fellow of International College of Surgery and the first doctor to obtain the Order of New Brunswick in 2004. His manual dexterity and precision which was fuelled by 30 years of microsurgery, contributed to his second passion in life as an artist and well known sculptor. He won an award at the Annual Montgomery Art Center show in Florida and had numerous exhibits and accolades for his work. A generous and engaged community leader, he donated a sculpture entitled “The Flame of Hope” which adorns the waiting room at the Oncology Treatment Centre at the Georges- L- Dumont University Hospital Center in Moncton. He was a member of the Board of Governors of I’Université de Moncton, President of the Alumni Association of I’Université de Moncton and member of numerous committees. His leadership contributed to the implementation of the Clément-Cormier bursary funds at I’Université de Moncton. He received two Honorary Doctorates in 2007, one in Arts and one is Science from l’Université de Moncton to commemorate these achievements. His last passion was the donation of over 41 acres of coastal habitat in Grand-Barachois to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. His goal was to help protect and conserve the ecosystems and sensitive species for present and future generations. He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Janine (Gaudet) Maurice; his four daughters: Francine Maurice (Bill Donovan) of Irishtown, Jocelyne Maurice (late Kendall Scott) of Moncton, Louise Belliveau (Gerard) of Grand-Barachois and Sylvie Maurice-Langis (Gilles) of Ottawa; 11 grandchildren: Sofie, Émelie, Nathalie, Marc (Mariève), Mathieu, Luc (Danika), Melanie, Martine (Jérémie), Julien, Éric and Patrick; a great-grandson, Gabriel; his sisters and brothers: Bernette Black, Onide (Lorraine), Fernande April (Guy), Noria Maurice, Pauline Smith, Blondine Maurice, Ronald (Rose-Mai) and Noël (Ida). He is predeceased by his sisters: Thérèse Geneau and Berthe Gowdy.
The family will receive condolences at Frenette Funeral Home, 88 Church Street, Moncton (858-1900) on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated at Notre-Dame-de-Grâce R.C. Church, 854 Mountain Road, Moncton, on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Dieppe. In memory of Dr. Maurice, a contribution to the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Hospital Foundation (Oncology Centre / www.dumontfoundation.ca) or the Université de Moncton (Fonds de bourse Clément-Cormier / www.umoncton.ca) would be appreciated by the family. www.frenettefuneralhome.com