Roland Lee Peretti, 89, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2021 at the Anchorage Pioneer Home.

Born March 10, 1932 in Seattle, Washington, Roland was one of seven children born to Giovanni Baptiste (Jack) and Edna Peretti. A true middle child, Roland’s kind, hard-working, and diplomatic spirit carried through his entire life.

In 1951, Roland married Alma Iola Taylor. They went on to have four children: Susan, Linda, Ron, and Thom.

As a young adult, Roland worked as a painter at Boeing Field in Seattle before earning a B.A. in pastoral studies in 1960 from Northwest Bible College. He went on to pastor churches for the next 32 years in LaCrosse, Washington, in Angoon, Alaska, and finally in North Pole, Alaska.

Once Roland and his family came to Alaska in 1965, they knew they were home. Roland loved Alaska and was always thinking about how to make his community better. Even while pastoring, Roland always worked other jobs to keep his hands busy, working as a carpenter, a bus driver, and then teaching at Joy School for seven years after earning his teaching credentials at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

After leaving North Pole, Roland and Iola moved to Anchorage, where he served as district superintendent for the Alaska Assemblies of God until his retirement in 2000. He and Iola retired to the family property on Whidbey Island, Washington, where they cared for Iola’s mother. Roland spent hours immaculately caring for the lawn and garden at their waterfront property. Despite living in Washington, Roland and Iola drove to Alaska to visit family nearly every summer.

Roland returned to Alaska in 2016 when failing health brought he and Iola closer to their children in Fairbanks. He loved his two years living at Raven Landing, participating in the vocal and harmonica choirs and playing bocce ball with fellow residents.

Roland was a skilled carpenter, an artist, a musician, a writer, and above all, a kind, cheerful, and compassionate person. Even in his final days, Roland was still tapping his foot to music. He had a joyful approach to life, always ready with a joke and his signature full-body laugh.

Roland’s family would like to thank the staff of the Anchorage Pioneer Home for their excellent care over the past 2 years. Roland was constantly grateful to the kind and professional staff who cared for him.

Roland is survived by his wife, Iola; by five of his six siblings; by his children, Susan Miller (Mike), Linda File (Dan), Ron Peretti (Kathy), and Thom Peretti; by his eight grandchildren, Teffonie Wyman (Phillip), Carissa Brown (Paul), Chad File, Chelsea File (Matthew), Chanda File, Michael Peretti, Matthew Peretti, and Kailee Peretti; and by his nine great-grandchildren.

No public services will be held. In memory of Roland, say something kind to someone today.