Roger N. Cournoyer, DVM, 80, of Barrington and Westerly, and Vero Beach Fla., passed away Monday, Dec. 19, 2016 at Indian River Memorial Hospital in Vero Beach. He was the husband of 55 years to Rosemary (Maggio) Cournoyer. 

Born in Woonsocket, in 1936 to Laurette (Belisle) and Rosario Cournoyer. He was raised on the family farm in Cumberland, where he learned the value of hard work. Roger attended Mount Saint Charles Academy then the University of Montreal where he received his DVM degree. He then enlisted in the US Army Veterinary Corps where he served in France achieving the rank of captain and was honorably discharged in 1963. He completed his Masters of Public Health at Columbia University in 1964.

While in France, Roger met the love of his life, Rosemary Maggio, who was teaching English to American students on the base. They returned to the United States after living in Europe for 3 years and Roger began his practice of veterinary medicine, owning and operating five veterinary hospitals over the next 50 years. He remained actively engaged in veterinary medicine until his passing. Roger was past president of the RIVMA, was appointed by the Governor of the State of Rhode Island to chair the Rabies Control Board, and was an active member of the AVMA. He was a longstanding member of the Rhode Island Country Club, Watch Hill Yacht Club, Weekapaug Golf Club, and Johns Island Club in Vero Beach.

Roger is survived by his wife, Rosemary; three children Dr. Peter Cournoyer (Susan) of Barrington, Noelle Cournoyer Doumar (Robin) of London, England, John Cournoyer (Elizabeth) of Kenilworth, Ill. Roger is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Lauren, Charlotte, and Faith Cournoyer of Barrington; Robert, Natalie, Margot, and Isabelle Doumar of London, England; Madeline and Roger Walton Cournoyer of Kenilworth, Ill. He was predeceased by his brother Ross Cournoyer and survived by brothers Henri, Andre, and Eugene Cournoyer and his sister Helen Oakes.

Roger thoroughly enjoyed his career as a veterinarian, serving multiple generations of Rhode Island families. In his spare time he never missed a Patriots game, enjoyed fishing Block Island sound, had a talent for gardening, and traveled the world extensively. He was a true gentleman, admired and loved by all who knew him. Above all, he loved family gatherings at his summer beach home in Westerly. He always said “Out of all the places I’ve been, Rhode Island has the greatest beaches."

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 from the W. Raymond Watson Funeral Home, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside at 8:45 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Luke Church, Washington Road, Barrington at 10 a.m. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Forest Chapel Cemetery, Nayatt Road, Barrington. 

Calling hours are Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Pawtucket Animal Shelter, 401 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, RI, 02861 or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Research-Rhode Island Hospital would be deeply appreciated.  wrwatsonfuneralhome.com