Maurice Roland Laro, 95 of Southbury, Connecticut, formerly of Avon, loving father and grandfather, passed away on Thursday, May 20.

Roland Laro was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, on March 5, 1926.

He was the son of the late Rose (Menard) and Emile Laro and was predeceased by his brother, Raymond, of Raynham, Massachusetts; his wife, Dixie (Barrows) Laro; and his daughter, Cynthia Fuller.

He attended the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and was a graduate of the class of 1946.

Upon graduation, Roland briefly shipped with Keystone Shipping Company before attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. While at RPI he was called to active duty and served aboard destroyers as chief engineering officer for two tours in Korea. He was then selected to attend the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. After two years he received a BS degree in meteorology.

After a tour at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island, he was assigned to Naval Air Station San Juan, Puerto Rico as officer in charge of the Naval Weather Service Office and meteorologist for COMCARIBSEAFRON. Laro’s naval career spanned eight years, with additional years in the Naval Reserve having achieved the rank of lieutenant commander. Upon release from the Navy, he joined the United States Weather Bureau in Washington, DC, as a member of the Federal Coordinator’s Office for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research.

Seven years later, Laro was selected to be meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Services Office in Hartford, Connecticut.

In his capacity as meteorologist in charge, Laro developed outstanding warning service programs and statewide reporting and dissemination networks vital to the state during weather emergencies. Such efforts resulted in personal citations from three Connecticut governors — Dempsey, Meskill, and Grasso. He was also the recipient of numerous National Weather Service special achievement and commendation awards.

Laro remained as meteorologist in charge for 23 years before retiring after 40 years of federal service.

Upon retirement, Laro launched the New England Weather Service, a private forecasting service that later merged with WTIC FOX.

Roland was happily married to the love of his life, Dixie, for 61 years. They enjoyed many years of extensive travel and were always happily looking forward to their next great adventure.

He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Cahalane, and her husband, Tom, of Sandy Hook. He also leaves behind the greatest joys of his life, his grandson Kevin Cahalane and his wife, Eleanor, of Washington DC, and his grandson Ryan and his fiancée, Sarah Treanor, of New York, New York.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 25, in St Rose of Lima Church, Newtown. Interment with full military honors at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, Mass., will be private.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St Rose of Lima Parish, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470.

Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, is in charge of arrangements.