Roger A Janelle

Torrington- Roger A. Janelle, 75, passed away Thursday, August 1, 2024, at his home. He was the beloved husband of 40 years of Denise A. (Davis) Janelle.

        Roger was born in Biddeford, ME, on September 18, 1948, son of the late Lawrence and Rita (Marchand) Janelle, and had been a Torrington resident since 1957. He was a Torrington High School Graduate, received his associate’s degree in criminal justice from Northwest Community College, and received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Connecticut. Roger proudly served in the Army as Specialist 2nd Class in Bravo Company during the Vietnam War from 1968-1971.

        After his honorable discharge from the Army, he began a career as a patrolman with the Torrington Police Department in 1972. Over his 32 year career, he worked his way up through the ranks, culminating with his selection as Torrington’s Chief of Police, a position he held until his retirement in May 2004. Roger was known as tough but fair and he earned the respect of the men in his command and the community. He had the distinction of being the first Police Chief in Torrington to hold a bachelor’s degree. Roger was instrumental in bringing the DARE Program to the Torrington Police Department along with Karl Petersen. He was also a Mentor to the Explorer Program for a number of years. Roger loved working the DARE Car Show, volunteering in the hotdog stand. His love for his job, town, and country were second only to his love for his family.

        Survivors, in addition to his wife, Denise, include 4 daughters, Tricia Embry and her husband David, Kimberly Fitzgerald and her husband, William, Rachael Janelle, and Tiffany Janelle; 17 grandchildren, Mikaela Levesque and her husband, David, Haleigh Thebarge, Eric Jacquemin, Courtney Riley and her husband, Dylan, Abigail Schaer, Brooke Beyus and her husband, Bryan, Owen Thebarge, Alexis Heacox, Hunter Jacquemin, Jacob Schaer, Shaylyn Janelle, Zachary Jacquemin, Connor Bennett, Kayla Bennett, Isabella Schaer, Matthew Embry, and Benjamin Fitzgerald; a brother, Bruce Janelle and his wife, Mary Ann; 6 sisters, Laurie Zimmer, Sharon Krupa and her husband, John, Carol Lopardo and her husband, Kenneth, Shirley Neumann and her husband, Robert, Robin Gentile, and Theresa Shafer and her husband, Frank; a sister-in-law, Karen Janelle; and 34 nieces and nephews. Roger was predeceased by a brother, Stephen Janelle; sisters, Pearl Richard and Linda Shaw; parents-in-law, Leonard and Beverly Davis; and brothers-in-law, Keith Davis and James Tressler.

        A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 11:00a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 160 Main St., Torrington. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Torrington. Friends may call Monday, August 5, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00p.m. at Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington.

        At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to DARE (dare.org/donate) or Torrington Police Activities League (torringtonpal.org/donate) or the Torrington Veterans Service Office, c/o 140 Main St., Torrington, CT 06790.

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