Roger J. Laliberte Obituary

Roger Laliberté, 85, of Coventry, passed away at Rhode Island Hospital, on Thursday, November 19, 2020, after a long illness. He was the husband of Claudette Bell Laliberté. They recently celebrated 62 years of marriage. Born in Lincoln, RI, the son of the late Raoul Laliberté and the late Maria (Vanasse) Laliberté. He is pre-deceased by his brother Gerard Laliberté, of Manville, RI.
He attended St. James Parochial School and Mount Saint Charles Academy, where he was the French valedictorian for the graduating class of 1954. Roger earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement from Salve Regina University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1984 and he also received the Charles Cooke Memorial Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice.
Roger was the beloved host of the French Radio Program, L’Echo Musical, for 60+ years which is believed to be the longest continuous running foreign language program in the country. In 2004, Roger realized his life’s dream of owning a radio station by becoming a partner at WNRI radio. He was honored by the Richelieu International Woonsocket Club and the Rhode Island Historical Society in 2011 when they bestowed upon him the Aram Pothier French Heritage Award for the promotion of, dedication to, and love of French Heritage and Culture. In 2017 he was humbled and honored to be inducted into the Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame. While Roger’s passion was radio, he made his career in law enforcement.
He joined the Coventry Police Department as a patrolman in October 1969. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1977. Over the years, Laliberté was awarded numerous commendations for exemplary police work, and in 1979 was promoted to Lieutenant. Several years later he was named acting Captain and Chief of Detectives. Roger was promoted to Captain in 1984. January 1990 marked the high point in his law enforcement career when he became Chief of the Coventry Police Department and served eleven years in this capacity before retiring in 2001. Roger also served as the President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association.
Laliberté was elected to the board of directors of the Coventry Credit Union in 1990 and served as Chairman of the Board until his retirement earlier this year.
In addition to all of Roger’s professional accomplishments, he was well loved by all for his kind heart, fair spirit, sense of humor, and diplomatic way with words. He was always a gentleman. Some of his favorite things were family vacations to the lake, a coffee Awful-Awful, red chowder and clam cakes, show and tell trains with his son-in-law, lending a kind ear and sage advice to friends.
He lived his life to the fullest and loved his family above all else, providing a love and comfort beyond compare. He adored his wife, took great pride in his children’s accomplishments, and enjoyed many a snuggle with his three grand-dogs. He was undoubtedly a tough act to follow.
Roger is survived by his loving wife Claudette, adoring daughters Nicole Laliberté, Gisele Laliberté Patenaude and son-in-law Cory Patenaude as well as many loved nieces, nephews. He will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 27, 2020 from 4-7 pm in the Potvin-Quinn Funeral home, 45 Curson Street, West Warwick. His funeral will be held on Saturday at 10 am and those who wish may gather in the funeral home parking lot; however due to Covid restrictions all, must remain in their cars. We will then process to celebrate an 11 am Mass of Christian Burial to which relatives and friends are welcomed to attend in SS. John & Paul Church, 341 South Main Street, Coventry. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery in West Greenwich will be private. Face masks are respectfully requested and social distancing and seating capacity limits in both the funeral home and the church will be observed.
Family and friends are cordially invited to use the online guest book directly below to offer messages of sympathy and condolence along with memories and stories in celebration of Roger's life.
For those who were unable to attend the visitation in the funeral home, we have below the keepsake video you may watch containing many photographs of Roger and his dear family taken throughout his life. We also have the recording of Roger's Funeral Mass of Christian Burial that was held on Saturday, November 27, 2020 in SS. John & Paul Church in Coventry with Rev. John A. Kiley as the main celebrant and homilist assisted by Rev. Paul R. Grenon and Rev. Patenaude followed by the committal prayer service at St. Joseph Cemetery in West Greenwich with Rev. Kiley.