Roland Folsom Pease

Roland Folsom Pease age 90 of Concord, formerly of New York City, passed away on November 21st. He was the husband of the late Polly (Saltonstall) Pease. Father of Deborah Pease of Boston and Roland F. Pease Jr. and his wife Lori of Cambridge. Beloved grandfather of Marianna and Nathaniel Pease.

Born in Arlington, MA, on December 11, 1921, he was the son of the late Roland F. and Mary (Hallet) Pease, brother of the late Marilyn Perry.

Raised in Waban, MA, he spent his summers at his maternal grandparents home in Yarmouthport on Cape Cod. He graduated from Newton Public Schools and Kimball Union Academy and then enrolled at Dartmouth College, but his studies were interrupted by WWII. Mr. Pease married his wife Polly in her parent's garden in Sherborn, MA two weeks prior to enlisting in the United States Army. He served in the 9th Air Force for 4 years and was stationed in Normandy where he took part in the Invasion. Upon his return home, he and his wife and young daughter moved to NYC where he enrolled in Columbia University. Following the birth of their son, they moved out to Westport, CT. until the sudden death of his wife three months later. He moved back to Massachusetts to be near the children's grandparents in Waban and Sherborn. Mr. Pease then commuted to NYC each week to finish up his studies at Columbia where he graduated in 1948. His first job was with the Wellesley Townsman as a staff reporter. In 1951 he moved his young children to NYC where he took a job with the United Press International. His career included work as an art critic, and editorial positions at numerous places including Harry N. Abrams Art Books. He wrote a novel, called "Sweet Nothing," published in 1957 by Doubleday.

Mr. Pease's life changed one day in the early 1950's when he walked into The Tibor de Nagy Gallery. He was immediately taken by Abstract Expressionism. Soon Mr. Pease was connected with a young group of aspiring artists and writers that was to later be known as The New York School. He began collecting their work, once trading a piano for a Larry Rivers painting, and having his portrait painted by Fairfield Porter. Mr. Pease's art collection eventually included work by Helen Frankenthaler, Red Grooms, Elaine de Kooning, Jane Freilicher. Mr. Pease and Tibor de Nagy became lifelong friends.

Mr. Pease was an enthusiastic member of a number of patriotic societies including The Society of Mayflower Descendents and the Sons of the Revolution. He was an active member of The Saint James Church in NYC where he served on numerous committees. He often volunteered in soup kitchens and visited shut-ins. He was a loyal benefactor of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and was awarded the Maltese Cross.

Mr. Pease spent his last few years in Concord, MA at Newbury Gardens/Rivercrest where was able to carry on with dignity given the devastation of the dementia that overtook his cultured mind. The family will always be grateful to the dedicated staff and health providers that took exceptional care of him.

Mr. Pease was devoted to the arts, including literature, opera, art, ballet and the theater. He once went to three plays in a day during one of his annual summer trips to London. He passed on his love of language to his children and grandchildren. He was a gentleman of grace, charm and elegance.

Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi, CONCORD FUNERAL HOME, Concord.

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