Roger Gladu knew every square inch of Manville both literally and figuratively. He walked its streets and sidewalks for his entire life. From his years growing up as a boy playing with the other children in town, to his service to the community as an adult, and capping off with his never-ending quest to collect and document the history of Manville, Roger knew every nook and cranny of Manville.
But more than just knowing the physical layout of the community, Roger knew his community, his Manville, on a much more profound level. He knew and appreciated its history with an encyclopedic and reverent recollection of the people, places and events that shaped the course of the history of the Manville Roger called home.
Roger V. Gladu, 87, of Manville died Tuesday June 23, 2026 at The Friendly Home in Woonsocket. He was the loving husband of Lorraine C. (Dufresne) Gladu. They were married on September 5, 1960 at St. James Church in Manville by Rev. Roger Marot and spent nearly 66 years mutually devoted to each other.
Born and raised in Manville he was a son of the late Alfred and Jeannette (Nault) Gladu. Roger was proud lifelong resident of Manville. He was a graduate of Mount Saint Charles Academy with the class of 1957. While at Mount, Roger was the goalie for the school hockey team. Proud of his legacy with Mount, Roger was honored with his Golden Diploma at the 50th reunion of his class.
Mr. Gladu served his country as a member of the Rhode Island National Guard 118th Combat Engineers.
In his earlier years Roger worked at the Branch River Mill and at Bancroft Corporation where tennis racquets were made. It was the closest Roger was ever involved with being “in the rackets”!
Roger was employed for the remainder of his career with the United States Postal Service working from the Manville Post office for over 35 years before retiring. He was president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Postal Union Branch # 3501.
Roger lived a life in service to his fellow residents of Manville. He served with the Manville Fire Department for over 36 years and retired as a Captain in 1990. He was a Life Member and Treasurer of Manville Firemen’s’ Association and RI State Firemen’s League. He was a lifelong communicant of St. James Parish and active with CYO, a member of the Alphonse Yelle Post 9 of the American Legion, President of Manville Little League and Manville Community Center and the Manville Sportsmen’s Club. He was also a member of the Woonsocket B.P.O.E. Lodge # 850.
Roger was THE Manville historian! He could with ease recall and relate the stories of years gone by in the Village of Manville just as if they happened yesterday. He amassed a treasure trove of documents and photos that filled a good portion of Lorraine’s house. He produced 2 episodes of the History of Manville and received the Peg award for best full length documentary. If you wanted to know something, anything, about the history of Manville you need go no farther than to ask Roger Gladu. If Roger didn’t know, it didn’t happen. Period. Roger also volunteered at the Museum of Work and culture in Woonsocket.
Roger was an avid sports fan and was a noted historian of the Rhode Island Reds hockey team. He was also an avid baseball fan and yes, a historian of the game too!
Roger will be remembered as a gentleman with a quiet dignity who cared for his family, loved ones and the community he devoted himself to. And if you knew Roger, you knew he NEVER wanted to wear a necktie….nope, not for him. He didn’t even want to be caught dead wearing one…. And make sure that Lacouture kid at the funeral home knows it too!
In addition to his wife Lorraine of nearly 66 years, Roger is survived by his son Dennis Gladu and his wife Diane of Pawtucket and a daughter Denise Cenedella and her husband Richard of North Smithfield. Roger was the proud Pepere of Melissa Carroll, Richard III, Lauren, Stuart and Jacob Cenedella and great-grandfather of Lilly and Jaxson Carroll. He was the brother of the late Suzanne Martin and is also survived by his nieces and nephews and their families.
Everyone is welcome to gather to remember, honor and pray for Roger at his funeral Tuesday June 30th at 9:00 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 71 Central St. Manville followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. James Church, Division St. Manville. Visiting hours are Monday June 29th from 4:00-7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Roger, memorial donations may be made to St. James Parish 33 Division St. Manville RI 02838.
www.menardfuneralhome.com