Obituary

Roland (Rocky) Tanguay born in Gorham, New Hampshire October 5, 1924 to Joseph and Louise Tanguay and went home to the Lord October 6, 2016.

He joined the US Army Air Corp at the age of 18 becoming the top turret gunner and back up co-pilot for The Miss Fortune B-17 Flying Fortress. Rocky earned his nick name during WWII. He told the crew they were going to make it through the war because on their way home he wanted to see the Rock of Gibraltar.

Well, it was a beautiful day and as the rest of the crew enjoyed the view of ‘the rock’ he was sound asleep. They teased him after that calling him The Rock. To this day most everyone who knew him thought Rocky was his given name. While in service of his country, flying 31 missions in Central Europe, being shot down twice Rocky earned 3 Bronze Stars, the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Rocky married his wife of 68 years, Virginia (Ginny) Tanguay on January 12, 1945 in Bath, Maine. They moved with their infant son to Washington in 1946. Rocky and Ginny’s family of two sons and a daughter; Alan Michael (1945-1965), Patricia (Patti) Belik (Bob) of Everson and Ron (Darcy and daughter Ashley) of Port Angeles, two grandsons Ryan Belik (Debbie), Seth Belik (Michelle) and five great grandchildren Dylan, Makayla, McKenzie, Ryder and Preston.

He began working for Pacific Fruit and Produce in 1946, where he worked until 1972 when he purchased Bell Ice and then expanded to Bell Ice and Produce a year later. Rocky believed in serving his community. He was one of the founders of The Boys Club which in later years became the Boys and Girls Club of Whatcom County. He served as their first President of the Board. He was also past President of The Fairhaven Lions Club and a member of the Bellingham Elks Club.

He and Ginny loved to travel. Retiring in 1982 they traveled full time in a variety of motor homes and fifth wheel rigs making friends and doing fun odd jobs across the United States. In October of 2012 they retired from the road and moved into the Parkway Chateau and met a whole new group of good friends.

Rocky’s service will be held at Green Acres in Ferndale, Friday, October 21st at 11:00 AM with full military honors, reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers Rocky’s family would like donations made in his name to the Boys and Girls Club of Whatcom County.