The Prince Edward Island harness racing industry lost a valued member on Friday, April 11, 2014 with the passing of Roland Larkin, of New Glasgow, PEI, in his 77th year.
Mr. Larkin was a longtime horse owner, trainer, breeder, and Past President of the PEI Standardbred Horse Owners Association and the Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Association.
Among the many horses Mr. Larkin owned over the years was Bub, a Gold Cup and Saucer and top class competitor. Mr. Larkin is survived by his wife Yvonne (Doiron), and is lovingly remembered by his children, Paul (Linda), Harvey (Rosemary), Dale (Lorna), Heather, Lorne (Nancy), Monica Simpson (Scott) and Dean (Patricia); grandchildren, Shawna (Brett), John Paul, Ryan, Ashley, Paige, Megan, Sarah, Evan, Darcy, Amy, Jamie (Lindsay), Julia, Maria, Bailey, Anna, Kezley and Kirsten; and great-grandchildren, Nate and Reid. Roland also leaves to mourn a sister, Eleanor Ranger (Tex); and brothers, Melvin (Colleen), Lloyd (Pat) and Eugene (Florence); sisters-in-law, Shirley Doiron, Pauline Gallant, Lorette Flessatti, Helen Doiron, Louise Larkin Arsenault and Lena Quinn; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Morton and Aletha (Campbell) Larkin; sisters and brothers, Ruth (in infancy), Mary, Fr. James and Earle; sisters and brothers-in-law, Estelle (Alban and Urban), John (Alice), Joe, Imelda, Edward, Vincent, Ivan (Marie), Lionel, Jerry Arsenault and Jimmy Quinn.
Funeral mass was celebrated at St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, Hope River, on Tuesday, April 15, 2014. If desired, memorial donations to St. Anne’s Parish Cemetery Fund or the PEI Lung Association would be appreciated.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Roland Larkin.