WINTHROP ? Roger J. Audette, 91, died Sunday, July 7, 2002, at Cypress Palms in Largo, Fla. He was born in Winthrop, Jan. 31, 1911, the eldest of the three sons of Mable Dostie Audette and Paul A. Audette. He was a graduate of Winthrop High School and on June 5, 1937, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, he married Annette Tebbetts of Readfield. His World War II years were spent as a gangway foreman building Liberty Ships in the Portland shipyards. By the end of the war, he and his wife had returned to Winthrop, and at the age of 35, he decided he wanted to own a retail hardware store. In 1945 he opened (Audette's) Winthrop Hardware on Union Street. The store moved to larger quarters on Bowdoin Street in the early 1950s, and by the 1960s the store had expanded to include sporting goods and clothing. Roger first retired in 1976 at the age of 65. After 10 years of retirement, he opened Village Green Hardware and ran the store with the help of his brother, Paul, and longtime employee Joanna Swartz. He sold that business in 1990 and returned to the business of retirement. He served as treasurer of the Winthrop Water District, a trustee of the Charles M. Bailey Public Library, a member of the Advisory Board of Depositor's Trust Co., served on the Board of Directors of CommTel, and along with other local merchants, founded WINADA (Winthrop Area Development Association). He stayed active in various civic groups created over the years to foster economic re-growth and the beautification of downtown Winthrop. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He was an avid reader, gardener, golfer and skier and was able to pursue and enjoy these hobbies into his 90s, often accompanied by his close friend, Ken Knowles. The last several years, he volunteered as a waiter at the Senior Meals Program, where he met many old friends and made new ones. He loved meeting new people. He loved Winthrop. He was predeceased by his brothers, Richard Audette in October 2001 and Paul Audette in March 2002. He is survived by his wife, Annette T. Audette; a daughter, Charlene Goodman and her husband, Joel, of Clearwater, Fla.; a grandson, Aaron Goodman and his wife, Stacey, of Largo; his late brothers' wives, Audrey Audette of Boothbay Harbor and Bertha Audette, of Winthrop; and many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to visit 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m. Friday, July 12, at St. Francis Xavier Church in Winthrop, with the Rev. Brian Blanchette officiating. Burial will follow at Glenside Cemetery. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to the C.M. Bailey Public Library, 39 Bowdoin St., Winthrop 04364.