Roland F. Walker Jr., dedicated firefighter
Roland F. Walker Jr., 79, of Millsboro, formerly of Aston, Pa., passed away Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, at Christiana Hospital in Newark.
Roland was born in Chester, Pa., Sept. 24, 1941, son of the late Roland F. Walker Sr. and the late Helen (Lank) Walker. He retired as a paper mechanic from Scott Paper after 32 years of service in 1994.
Roland faithfully served his community in the fire service. He served with the Aston-Beechwood Volunteer Fire Company for 18 years, serving as a past chief, the Lenni Heights Volunteer Fire Company for 43 years as past assistant chief, and was currently volunteering with the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company for the last 20 years. At his time with the Indian River Fire Company, he served as fire police captain and vice president of the company, and held several other offices. Roland also served as the president of the Sussex County Volunteer Firefighters Association in 2009.
If Roland wasn’t serving his community in the fire service, he was hunting. He loved spending time at the hunting cabin in Potter County. Roland was a member of the No Dear Sportsman Club and the Lenni Athletic Clubs.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Ann Marie “Nancy” (McDermott) Walker; two children, Roland F. Walker III and his significant other, Julie Hart of Hamel, Ill., and Richard Walker of Millsboro; five grandchildren, Alesa and Tracy Robinson, Ryan and Jena Hart, and Kyle Patrick Walker; a sister, Mary E. Calloway and her husband William E. Gregory of Millsboro; two nieces, Rhonda DiPietro of Gap, Pa., and Patricia Dobay and her husband Dennis of Parkesburg, Pa.; a nephew, Michael A. Griffin of Poinciana, Fla.; two cousins, Elizabeth A. Ross and Shirley Paulley; an aunt Ms. Ruth Heisner of Media, Pa.; and all of his friends and colleagues in the fire service.
A funeral service with firefighter honors will be held at noon, Saturday, Sept. 4, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro, where friends and family may visit after 10 a.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Roland’s name to the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, 32628 Oak Orchard Road, Millsboro, DE 19966.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com
