Roland Bernardo Balverde Guillet

On Thursday, May 4, 2023, at the age of 47, enveloped with God’s love and blessings, Roland was called to heaven by our Creator. It was his 14th wedding anniversary to his loving wife Estrella.

Roland was born to Josefino Sr. and Elisea Guillet on Saturday, October 26, 1975, in

Maliplipit, Pilar, Abra, Philippines, where he spent most of his life. He was the fourth

child of seven. Roland often recalled many fond memories of his childhood in the

Philippines such as playing, climbing trees, and gathering firewood in the forest with his

Siblings: Aurora, Reynaldo, Evangeline, Josefino Jr., Annaliza and Rommel. They were a close family and had spiritual ties to the church which carried on throughout Roland’s life.

Roland was studious and persistent in his quest for education, that made him a

consistent honor student. He graduated as Class Valedictorian in his elementary years

and Class Salutatorian in a Catholic High School. In 1999, his love of animals led Roland to finish his degree as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial University, in Bacnotan, La Union. He then received his licence and worked as a veterinarian in the Philippines.

In his college years, Roland met the ultimate love of his life, Estrella Villanueva. They met through his best friend Antonino Villanueva, who happened to be Estrella’s brother.

Roland tied the knot with Estrella on May 4, 2009. The wedding was officiated by Estrella’s brother, Rev. Fr. Bernardo Villanueva, at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Parish Church, in San Jose, Urdaneta, Philippines.

In January 2013, Roland joined his brother-in-law, Antonino, in Canada; to work for the Olymel Company as a production technician, and later as a mill technician, at the Bone Creek pig barn for over 10 years. During this time, he also worked at the Pioneer Co-op Food Store in Shaunavon. His wife followed Roland to Shaunavon in August 2013.

On May 24, 2014, Roland and Estrella were blessed with a little bundle of joy and they named him Jesus Louis. Having a baby completed their family. They took family trips to Cypress Hills.

Roland loved his son and they enjoyed baking, biking, and playing sports together such as baseball, hockey, and soccer. Roland will be dearly missed by his wife Estrella, and his son, Jesus.

Roland was anointed by Catholic priests one of whom was a Filipino Priest, Fr Melchor Samonté, and two Filipino nuns, Sr. Amelia Gorospe and Sr. Rufina Dubao, who offered prayers for him together with his family.

Prayers will take place on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 9:00 am, at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. A Mass of Christian burial to follow immediately after, at 10:00 am, with Fr. Melchor Samonté officiating. Interment will take place at St. Mary’s R.C. Cemetery at Shaunavon. Binkley’s Funeral Service of Shaunavon (www.Binkleys.com) was in charge of the arrangements.