Roland W. Rondeau 88 of 334 Rathbun St. died Tuesday at RI Hospital after sustaining a fall. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Belba) Rondeau. Mr. and Mrs. Rondeau would have celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary January 18, 2007. They were married in the former St. Ann’s Church and were life long city residents. Mr. Rondeau was born in Pascoag a son of the late Joseph and Mathilda (Boucher) Rondeau. He was employed by the US Post Office in Woonsocket for over 31 years. Mr. Rondeau served his country as an army paratrooper in the European Theatre during WWII and in the Korean War. He completed almost nine years in the 509 Airborne Battalion. He was awarded two Purple Hearts.
Mr. Rondeau was an avid walker and enjoyed playing tennis well into his 80’s. He was a kind and gentle husband, father and “Pépère extraordinaire” who loved the company of his entire family.
Besides his wife he is survived by two daughters Patricia Giordano and her husband Tom of Bloomfield, CT, Jeannine Rondeau Keedy and her husband Nathan of Natick, MA, five granddaughters, Molly and Rachel Keedy, Deb Roberts, Suzanne Giordano and Lori Bennett, and eight great grandchildren. He was also the brother of the late George, Aime, Albina and Rita Rondeau.
His funeral will be held Saturday at 10:00 from the Fournier & Fournier Funeral Home 99 Cumberland St. Woonsocket with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 in All Saints Church, Rathbun St. Woonsocket. Burial will follow in St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery. Visiting hours are Friday 4-7 pm.