Obituary for Roald J Rolfson
Roald J. Rolfson, 73, peacefully passed away at the Norwell VNA’s Pat Roach Hospice
Home on September 25, 2019. Roald was born to Roald K. and Elnora (Johannes)
Rolfson on September 10, 1946 in Wausau, WI.
He graduated with honors from St. Olaf College in 1969 went on to the University of
Wisconsin - Madison to obtain a Master’s Degree in Social Work. This was followed by
five wonderful years serving as Director of Social Service at Luther Hospital in Eau
Claire, WI. Then it was on to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics where he also
became Director of Social Services for the 1100 bed tertiary care hospital. It was in
Iowa City where met his wife Mary Lou Portais who was originally from Plymouth, MA.
In 1981 they moved to the Boston area, were married, and Roald started a 23 year
career at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged (HRCA). At HRCA he started out
as Director of Social Service, was promoted to Vice President of Operations, and
ended his years of service at the 725 bed chronic disease hospital in charge of Center
Operations.
His 45 year career in geriatrics and health care ended in 2016 when he retired after
working for several years as Executive Director for a number of Assisted Living
Facilities managed by Welch Healthcare and Retirement group.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Portais, his daughter, Kimberly Portais-Rolfson,
both of Duxbury, and his sister, Mary K. Rolfson of Appleton, WI. Roald and his family
have totally enjoyed the past twenty-five years living in and taking advantage of all that
Duxbury, MA has to offer. Roald was an avid Red Sox fan, loved sea food, and enjoyed
long walks on the beach.
Funeral and burial services will be private.
Home on September 25, 2019. Roald was born to Roald K. and Elnora (Johannes)
Rolfson on September 10, 1946 in Wausau, WI.
He graduated with honors from St. Olaf College in 1969 went on to the University of
Wisconsin - Madison to obtain a Master’s Degree in Social Work. This was followed by
five wonderful years serving as Director of Social Service at Luther Hospital in Eau
Claire, WI. Then it was on to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics where he also
became Director of Social Services for the 1100 bed tertiary care hospital. It was in
Iowa City where met his wife Mary Lou Portais who was originally from Plymouth, MA.
In 1981 they moved to the Boston area, were married, and Roald started a 23 year
career at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged (HRCA). At HRCA he started out
as Director of Social Service, was promoted to Vice President of Operations, and
ended his years of service at the 725 bed chronic disease hospital in charge of Center
Operations.
His 45 year career in geriatrics and health care ended in 2016 when he retired after
working for several years as Executive Director for a number of Assisted Living
Facilities managed by Welch Healthcare and Retirement group.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Portais, his daughter, Kimberly Portais-Rolfson,
both of Duxbury, and his sister, Mary K. Rolfson of Appleton, WI. Roald and his family
have totally enjoyed the past twenty-five years living in and taking advantage of all that
Duxbury, MA has to offer. Roald was an avid Red Sox fan, loved sea food, and enjoyed
long walks on the beach.
Funeral and burial services will be private.